Committee Summary for House Finance (04/03/2025)

Weyler, Kenneth(Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Griffin, Gerald(Clerk)(R)[A-]2025	McGuire, Dan(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025
Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025	Daniels, Gary(R)[A-]2025	Leishman, Peter(D)[D-]2025
McGuire, Carol(R)[A+]2025	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025	Muns, Chris(D)[CT]2025
Sweeney, Joe(R)[A]2025	Seaworth, Brian(R)[A-]2025	Preece, David(D)[CT]2025
Nalevanko, Rich(R)[B+]2025	Mooney, Maureen(R)[B+]2025	Murray, Kate(D)[F]2025
Cambrils, Jose(R)[B+]2025	Popovici-Muller, Daniel(R)[A-]2025	Rung, Rosemarie(D)[CT]2025
Bean, Harry(R)[B+]2025	Kelly, Eileen(D)[F]2025	Hakken-Phillips, Mary(D)[F]2025
Telerski, Laura(D)[CT]2025	Stringham, Jerry(D)[D-]2025	Erf, Keith(R)[A]2025
Farrington, Samuel(R)[A+]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1 1474H 00:03:11.080 - 12:01:52 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB2 1484H 00:03:57.480 - 12:02:38 PM	Executive Session	relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB2 1482H 00:20:40.559 - 12:19:21 PM	Executive Session	relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB2 1484H 00:24:11.679 - 12:22:52 PM	Executive Session	relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB1 1474H 00:30:23.240 - 12:29:04 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025

HB1 1474H: Michael Kain, Legislative Budget Assistant Information Only00:03:11.080 - 12:01:52 PM; Michael Kain, the Legislative Budget Assistant, provided an overview of the final approval process for HB1 and HB2, expressing gratitude towards the committee and staff for their efforts in the budget process. He detailed the documents before the committee, including amendment 1474H to House Bill 1, which is the operating budget in a strikeout-insert format. He explained the budget process, including adjustments made to reflect the committee's votes and the inclusion of the Governor's recommendations. Kain also discussed the surplus statement, highlighting the balanced budget approach for the general and education trust funds, as well as the highway and fish and game funds. He outlined the financial adjustments and projections for the fiscal years, including revenue estimates, appropriations, and the impact on the rainy day fund.
HB2 1484H: Michael Kain, Legislative Budget Assistant Information Only00:03:57.480 - 12:02:38 PM; Continuing from the previous discussion, Michael Kain further detailed the budget adjustments related to HB2, specifically amendment 1484H. He explained the process of incorporating the committee's amendments and the Governor's recommendations into the budget. Kain discussed the financial projections and adjustments made to ensure a balanced budget, including the handling of surplus and the potential need for transfers from the rainy day fund to cover any deficits. He also mentioned the balanced state of the highway and fish and game funds without additional general fund support.
HB2 1484H: Representative Sweeney Information Only00:17:02.360 - 12:15:43 PM; Representative Sweeney introduced a technical cleanup amendment, 1473H, for the seven-year rule on group two retirement provisions. He clarified that this amendment does not affect the budget's financials but ensures the completeness of the amendment approved earlier in the week.
HB2 1484H: Representative Edwards Information Only00:17:28.559 - 12:16:09 PM; Representative Edwards sought clarification on the technical cleanup amendment, asking Representative Sweeney to explain the changes made. Sweeney confirmed that the amendment was to ensure all necessary paragraphs were amended to fully implement the seven-year rule restoration.
HB2 1484H: Representative Seaworth Information Only00:18:25.080 - 12:17:06 PM; Representative Seaworth requested the page number in the amendment package for easier reference, which was provided as page 27.
HB2 1484H: Chair Information Only00:19:19.679 - 12:18:00 PM; The Chair called for a roll call vote to approve Amendment 1473H to House Bill 2, which was seconded by Representative Papovich Muller. The amendment was unanimously adopted with a vote of 25 to 0.
HB2 1482H: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:20:40.559 - 12:19:21 PM; The speaker introduced Amendment 1482H to HB2, describing it as a technical correction to remove a section related to Historic horse racing and add four words at the end of paragraph one in section three. The amendment was intended to simplify the process moving forward.
HB2 1482H: Representative Papich Muller Information Only00:21:47.159 - 12:20:28 PM; Representative Papich Muller asked for clarification on the amendment's impact on services and expenditures for the disabled, particularly regarding their integration and socialization within society.
HB2 1484H: Unnamed Speaker Information Only00:24:11.679 - 12:22:52 PM; The speaker introduced Amendment 1484H to HB2, which was adopted unanimously. The amendment was to incorporate Representative Sweeney's Amendment 1473H and ensure proper section alignment with Amendment 1482H.
HB2 1484H: Unnamed Speaker Oppose00:24:51.760 - 12:23:32 PM; The speaker, representing the minority, opposed HB2 as amended, citing serious budget cuts to state agencies, the abolition of several offices and commissions, and reductions in funding for various programs including renewable energy and education. They highlighted the negative impact on low-income families and local control over school budgets.
HB2 1484H: Unnamed Speaker Support00:27:12.960 - 12:25:53 PM; The speaker supported the budget cuts in HB2, explaining that economic mismanagement from Washington DC had reduced expected revenue, necessitating budget cuts. They mentioned efforts to find new revenue sources and the necessity of increasing fees to fund certain services, arguing that these changes would be fairer to taxpayers.
HB1 1474H: Representative Walner Oppose00:30:23.240 - 12:29:04 PM; Representative Walner opposed HB1, stating that the budget fell short in funding vital state services. They highlighted significant cuts to the Department of Corrections, judicial branch, justice department, and education, particularly the University system. They also mentioned reductions in health and human services, including developmental disabilities and community mental health, and criticized the lack of guardrails on the EFA program.
HB1 1474H: Representative Muns Support00:32:48.559 - 12:31:29 PM; Representative Muns supported the budget cuts in HB1, noting that high vacancy rates in state agencies allowed for the removal of unfilled positions. They argued that the budget cuts provided flexibility to fill critical vacancies and that the low unemployment rate contributed to the decision to reduce payroll. They also mentioned adjustments in education funding due to enrollment declines and inflation.