Committee trims HB15-24 appropriation from $8M to $1M, strikes subsection and sends bill to Appropriations

Representative Dressler brought House Bill 15-24 to the committee; the bill initially included an $8,000,000 appropriation for regional councils. Representative Doctor proposed striking the $8,000,000 figure and replacing it with $2,500,000, later proposing $1,000,000 as a compromise; other members proposed distributing funds in smaller amounts per region.

Members expressed concerns about proof of deliverables and whether the funds would be used for hiring grant writers and leveraging additional dollars. Representative Hager said the request was to hire grant writers to leverage more dollars; Representative Jessler sought clearer deliverables. Representatives from rural districts described successful local projects that had leveraged funds in the past, including the Walsh County child care center.

The committee amended the bill by striking subsection 7 and replacing the $8,000,000 appropriation with $1,000,000. Representative Hager moved a do-pass as amended with re-referral to Appropriations; Representative Olsen seconded. The clerk read the roll call. Votes recorded included: Chairman Hedlund — yes; Vice Chair Haggard — yes; Representative Anderson — yes; Representative Doctor — yes; Representative Dressler — yes; Representative Green Egg — yes; Representative Machtenbacher — yes; Representative Nehring — no; Representative Olson — yes; Representative Porter — yes; Representative Steiner — yes; Representative Toman — no; Representative Fox — yes; Representative Isto — yes. The clerk announced the motion carried with 12 yes and 2 no.