House Appropriations Committee delays action on "age 57" survivors bill, schedules more testimony

The House Appropriations Committee on March 11, 2025, said it will delay action on a bill described in the transcript as "age 57," a survivors-related measure, and asked another committee to take additional testimony to resolve questions about possible double counting in benefit calculations.

Committee staff informed members that Rep. Harrison had raised follow-up questions after initial review and that the matter has been referred to the House General committee to hear further testimony, including from agency leaders and the treasurer's office. The committee said an amendment could be proposed if the House General committee continues the item.

The committee also introduced two other bills during the update: a bill proposing use of opioid-settlement funds and a corrections bill labeled in the transcript as "H-two 19," described as expanding the "kids apart" program to connect parents and children across the correctional system. The committee said it will try to hear testimony on the corrections bill this week but will not vote on any bills that require new spending during the week.

Committee staff asked members to email brief bullet points indicating which areas of their budgets they are ready to close, to help the committee prioritize remaining work. Staff said that if members need new language for budget items, that will be handled separately and will affect how much committee time is required.

The committee noted that healthcare testimony was scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. and that it would take the committee "off live" for that item.

No formal motions or votes were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.