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Appropriations subcommittee adopts amended Veterans Affairs budget bill and advances it to full committee
Summary
The Senate subcommittee approved technical amendments to SB2025 (Veterans Affairs) and recommended the bill for a due‑pass to full committee. Amendments included FTE and compensation adjustments, a reduced commissioner salary enhancement and a rural transport van replacement program; the panel approved the amended bill by roll call.
The committee reviewed and amended Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs budget bill, and voted to advance the measure to full committee with a due‑pass recommendation. Members adopted a package of technical amendments covering FTE adjustments, compensation changes and targeted operating expenses.
Amendments the committee approved included standard compensation and FTE updates and an increase to the department's authority for federal and nongeneral fund spending related to the State Approving Agency for veterans' education benefits. The subcommittee substituted $25,000 for a commissioner salary equity increase that had been $100,000 in the governor's recommendation; committee members said they expected to discuss the final salary appropriation with the House. The committee also approved funding for a highly rural transport van replacement program and a $50,000 item for service dogs; the committee did not add the additional FTE that had been in the governor's recommendation.
Senator Mather moved and Senator Magrum seconded the amendments and the committee approved the technical package by voice vote. The subcommittee then voted by roll call to issue a due‑pass recommendation to the full committee on SB2025 as amended. Committee members said they planned to carry the bill to the next stage and scheduled it for full committee consideration.
