Appropriations subcommittee hoghouses House Bill 15-77 and advances amended bill out of subcommittee

The Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division moved to convert House Bill 15‑77, a measure addressing wastewater treatment grants, into a study and include the proposed study language as the substantive remainder of the bill. Committee members debated whether to preserve appropriation language or to limit the bill to study tasks; ultimately the committee voted to "hoghouse" the bill and then advanced the amended bill out of subcommittee.

The matter was first raised early in the meeting when a senator said, "the only other bill that we still have out there is 15 77 regarding wastewater treatment grants." Committee discussion explored drafting amendments, loan versus grant structures, and whether the appropriation should be retained or converted to a loan fund. After floor discussion, Senator Davidson moved to adopt the proposed study language for the bill; Senator Cleary seconded. The committee voted to convert the bill so that only the study language remained (the motion to "hoghouse" passed by voice vote with opponents recorded during debate).

Later the subcommittee moved House Bill 15‑77 as amended for "do pass." The clerk called the roll; Senators Clary, Davidson, Chairman Deaver, Magram and Mather recorded affirmative votes. The committee carried the bill out of subcommittee and indicated the policy committee would receive the matter for further consideration.

Ending: With the subcommittee's action, HB 15‑77 now contains study language and moves forward from the subcommittee to the full committee for policy consideration. The bill will be subject to conference if House and Senate versions differ.