Special Language subcommittee approves corrections, funding transfers and security amendment; releases amendments to JBC

The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Special Language Subcommittee voted through multiple technical corrections and budget amendments during a brief meeting that included directions on fleet reporting, corrections to prior appropriations, a recurring transfer to the graduate medical education (GME) fund, and security and HVAC upgrades for the Secretary of State's facilities.

The meeting was called to order by the subcommittee chair, who opened with housekeeping noting that personnel items would not be heard in this subcommittee and that related documents are posted on the General Assembly website. "We're gonna call this meeting of special language to order," the Chair said at the start of the session.

Members unanimously approved a requirement—established in prebudget meetings—that staff provide a report and a plan before any new vehicles are purchased, described during the meeting as a fleet-management reporting requirement. The subcommittee then disposed of several technical corrections and adopted amendments to appropriations and budgets with no recorded roll-call votes; members used voice votes.

Representative Collins described one item as a cleanup of previous appropriation language, saying the change "is to correct the mistake we did" so that specified percentage calculations apply as intended going forward. Representative Johnson presented Senate Bill 38, explaining a provision clarifying that, "as long as the funding is available, they'll be taking $500,000 from their surplus annually and moving it over to GME."

An amendment to House Bill 1147, the Secretary of State's budget, was presented to fund security improvements and to complete the HVAC system for a wing of the building. During questions, a member confirmed the security upgrades account for approximately $3,100,000 and the remaining allocation—referred to in the meeting as "the other 9"—was for HVAC work. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Representative Dalby presented language striking a now-unnecessary line item related to the District Judge Association and the district court coordinator, noting the change was to comply with a previously enacted provision (Act 162). Members adopted the amendment by voice vote.

Throughout the meeting motions were made and seconded for each item; discussion was limited and there were no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript. At adjournment the Chair read a final statement noting that "All adopted amendments will be released to the Joint Budget Committee." The subcommittee adjourned with no further business.

Votes at a glance

- Fleet-management reporting requirement: Motion approved by voice vote; mover/second not specified; outcome: approved. Note: requires a pre-purchase report and plan before new vehicle purchases.

- Representative Collins / Representative Kavanaugh technical correction to prior appropriation language: Motion/second not specified; outcome: approved.

- Representative Dalby amendment striking a line item related to the District Judge Association/district court coordinator (compliance with Act 162): Motion/second not specified; outcome: approved.

- Senate Bill 38 (clarification on State Medical Board special revenue transfer to the GME fund): Motion/second not specified; voice vote; outcome: approved. Clarified an annual $500,000 transfer from the medical board surplus to the GME fund "as long as the funding is available."

- Amendment to House Bill 1147 (Secretary of State's budget) — security and HVAC upgrades: Motion/second not specified; voice vote; outcome: approved. Members discussed roughly $3,100,000 for security upgrades and the remainder for HVAC completion.

All adopted amendments will be released to the Joint Budget Committee.

Meeting documents and agendas were noted as posted on the General Assembly website for member review.