Senators debate restoring pre‑K funding in HB 2485; amendment fails for lack of second, bill reported 10–5

The Senate Finance Committee discussed House Bill 2485, legislation relating to cannabis control and establishment of a retail market, and rejected an attempted change when the amendment failed to receive a second. Committee members then voted to report the bill to the full Senate by a roll call of 10–5.

Nut graf: The amendment proposed by Senator Chap Petersen (referred to in the transcript as Senator Evans) sought to reinstate language on lines 650–651 that would have preserved prior funding allocations for pre‑kindergarten programs and maintained allocations to the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund. That amendment did not receive a second and was not considered; the committee proceeded to report the bill as identical to the Senate companion bill.

Discussion and outcome: Senator Evans proposed unstriking lines 650 and 651 to restore funding for pre‑K and the equity reinvestment fund. Senator Evans said restoring that language would “leave the funding for pre k and the cannabis equity reinvestment fund the way we originally had.” He then asked for a second; none was given. Senator Bolen noted the bill had been heard previously in Rehabilitation and Social Services and that it was identical to the Senate bill from Senator Ross. The motion to report the bill was made by Senator Deeb and seconded by Senator Locke. The roll call recorded Ayes 10, Noes 5; the bill will be reported to the full Senate.

What was not decided: The committee did not adopt Senator Evans’s proposed change; because the amendment lacked a second it was not put to a vote. The transcript does not record any further instructions to staff or a directive to reconcile funding language in conference.

Ending: With the roll call complete, the committee moved on to subsequent items.