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Ways and Means General Fund committee advances multiple bills; registrars pay increase and law‑enforcement funding changes move forward
Summary
The committee issued favorable reports for several bills including HB 37 (judicial pay portability), HB 187 (sheriff office fund flexibility), SB 63 (fingerprints/DNA collection), HB 82 (board of registrars pay and qualifications) and SB 48/SB 40 (companion measures). HB 33 was carried over for further work.
The Ways and Means General Fund committee on the afternoon calendar gave favorable reports to multiple bills and carried over one item for further work.
House Bill 37: The committee gave HB 37 a favorable report. The sponsor described the measure as allowing trial judges to carry their graduated bench pay scale with years of service to the appellate bench if elected, effectively encouraging trial judges to seek appellate positions. Fiscal specifics for FY 2025 were discussed but a precise per‑justice figure was not provided in committee testimony.
House Bill 187: The committee advanced HB 187, a bill affecting sheriff’s office funds. A presenter described the measure as allowing fees currently restricted to jail operations to be used for broader office functions, giving sheriffs greater flexibility in spending existing fees.
Senate Bill 63: The committee gave SB 63 a favorable report. A visiting senator summarized the measure as requiring that fingerprints and DNA be collected while an arrestee is in custody and before bond in specified cases, adding one more category to the offender groups already included in existing law.
House Bill 82: HB 82 was advanced as amended. Sponsor Representative Wood said the bill raises the per‑diem for boards of registrars from $80 to $115, updates minimum qualifications to include basic computer and communication skills, and requires posting office hours. A sponsor comment noted the change represents about a $3,000,000 impact across the affected budget line; committee amendment aligned the House bill with the Senate version.
Companion and related measures: The committee also reported favorably on SB 48 (a companion/clone of HB 82) and SB 40 (noted as given a favorable report); specific text differences were not detailed in the meeting transcript.
Carried over: HB 33, which had been scheduled for a public hearing, was carried over because “some work left to be done.”
Votes at a glance: HB 37 — favorable report (voice vote); HB 187 — favorable report (voice vote); SB 63 — favorable report (voice vote); HB 82 (as amended) — favorable report (voice vote); SB 48/SB 40 — favorable reports (voice votes); HB 33 — carried over.
The committee adjourned after advancing the calendar items.
