Conference committee tentatively resolves multiple H 493 appropriations, moves $4 million education transition to education bill

The conference committee working on H 493 on May 6 reached tentative agreements on a series of budget items and program changes, and agreed to shift $4 million for an education transition into the separate education bill.

Committee members agreed to reduce the tech business assistance line to $550,000 and to lower the agricultural security fund to $500,000. The panel also accepted the House position on a Department of Transportation retrofit line by reducing that allocation to $200,000. Members said they would move a $4 million appropriation for an education transition into the education bill (referred to in the session as the “ed bill”) and treat that funding as a one-time allocation.

Why it matters: the conference committee is reconciling competing House and Senate budget positions for H 493; the decisions determine whether certain programs receive ongoing base funding or one-time funding and affect how agencies will implement or seek continuation in future budgets.

Most important outcomes and unresolved items

- Education transition: The committee agreed to transfer $4 million for an education transition into the education bill and to treat the funds as one-time money to be accounted for in that separate bill. The committee discussed needing clear plan language and…