House Ag committee advances three bills to Ways and Means

The House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water on Feb. 3 advanced three bills — House Bills 2164, 2166 and 2168 — each with a recommendation that they be referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

Committee Chair Owens presided over work sessions on the three bills. Representative Sarah Finger McDonald moved each bill to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation and asked that each be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. Members voiced no recorded opposition during the proceedings, and the motions passed by voice vote.

The committee opened the work session on House Bill 2,164 (meet inspection capacity) and, after the motion by Finger McDonald, Chair Owens called for and recorded the motion as passed. The committee then opened a work session on House Bill 2,166 (agriculture competitiveness). Members asked for the legislative fiscal estimate for HB 2166; committee staff noted the fiscal estimate posted in the meeting materials—approximately $630,000 according to the Legislative Fiscal Office as read into the record—and the motion to advance the bill with a Ways and Means referral passed by voice vote.

The committee then considered House Bill 2,168 (wastewater/abandoned well repair fund and septic systems). After a motion by Co‑Chair Finger McDonald for a “do pass” recommendation and subreferral to Ways and Means, the motion passed by voice vote.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; each action was advanced by voice vote and the chair announced the motion passed.

The committee did not take final action on other bills during those work sessions but indicated those items would be sent forward for fiscal and policy consideration through Ways and Means.