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Committee and floor report advance SB14, a continuing-appropriation measure aimed at preventing shutdowns
Summary
Senate Bill 14, described by its sponsor as a continuing-appropriation to prevent government shutdowns, was explained and advanced out of committee and reported favorably on the floor. Debate centered on effects on budgeting processes, 90-day constitutional expectations, and potential impacts on federally funded programs and specialized funds.
Senate Bill 14, described by sponsor Senator Masterson as an “anti–government shutdown” bill, was explained in committee and reported favorably for passage.
Senator Masterson, identified as the bill’s carrier, said the measure would allow prior-year appropriations to carry forward when the legislature and governor cannot reach agreement in time, reducing the risk that state offices would close or state employees be unpaid. “This bill simply makes the allowance for if we get into that kind of position,” Masterson said, adding that the measure would not change the underlying budgeting process but would provide a cash-flow mechanism in a stalemate.
Senators pressed the carrier on how the change would interact with the legislature’s budgeting schedule and constitutional constraints. Senator Francisco (Douglas) asked whether the bill would override recent interim budget work or permit repeated rollovers year to year; Masterson replied that the mechanism could be used more than once but characterized that as imprudent and said it was intended as an emergency stopgap.
Senator Petty (Wyandotte) asked about federal funds and programs whose timing depends on federal receipts; Masterson said the mechanism would operate as an internal cash-flow tool and used a tobacco-settlement/Key Fund example to illustrate how payouts and reimbursements could be managed if timing shifts occur. Petty also raised concern that the secretary of administration would have discretion to terminate accounts if no funds remained; Masterson said that authority is consistent with existing practice for dormant funds.
After questions and a brief closing from the sponsor, the committee moved to report SB14 favorably. The Committee of the Whole returned a committee report that included a recommendation that Senate Bill 14 be passed; the chair stated the report was adopted by voice vote.
The transcript records committee-level consideration, floor committee report adoption and the chair’s announcement that SB14 be passed; further steps (such as final enrollment or governor action) are not recorded in this excerpt.
Notes: Debate highlighted concerns about separation of powers, local social-service caseload growth and whether the change would reduce the legislature’s incentive to reach timely appropriations.
