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Senate Judiciary subcommittee pauses major changes to SB 2029, adjourns ahead of appropriations deadline
Summary
Members of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee discussed proposed amendments to Senate Bill 2029, voiced concerns about substantive changes from a GAND submission and funding timelines, and chose not to adopt sweeping changes before an appropriations deadline; the panel adjourned after agreeing to report to the full committee.
Chair Paulson, chair of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee, said the panel would need to act quickly because Senate appropriations requires bills with funding implications to be set before Monday and the subcommittee called an afternoon meeting to decide on amendments to Senate Bill 2029.
The subcommittee discussed two competing amendment sets: one submitted with questions and suggested rework from a group identified as GAND and a separate “court” amendment the chair said the panel could accept. Chair Paulson said of the GAND submission that it "looks more to me like a worksheet" and that the proposal "is taking out key a large amount of substantial policy, but isn't replacing it with policy." He said those changes raise more questions than answers and were unlikely to be completed before the appropriations deadline.
The committee reviewed concerns about whether changes would interrupt payments tied to the bill. Chair Paulson said he had checked with the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and was told that if the bill is passed it "does not become effective August 1 like most bills do. It becomes effective July 1, specifically for the purpose of ensuring all of the money flows as the money should come August 1." Paulson said the appropriations chair assured him that the July 1 effective date provides time to ensure payments are not disrupted.
Committee members also noted outstanding procedural and legal questions. A committee member said there is an ongoing lawsuit related to the subject matter, making substantial midstream changes more difficult. Members said they had asked the governor's chief of staff whether the proposed Office of Guardian and Conservatorship would be housed under the Governor's Office and were awaiting a response; Chair Paulson said the governor's office had only a few days to consider that option.
Senator Brownberger said he was torn but inclined to move the bill forward under the current timeline, saying, "I'm half saying, yeah. Let's move this forward and let them figure it in the house, and I'm half saying, let's just give it to the governor." Several members indicated the matter could still be changed in the other chamber.
With the appropriations timeline in mind and unresolved questions about the scope of GAND's proposed rework, the subcommittee did not adopt GAND's broader revisions at this meeting. A motion to adjourn the subcommittee was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote and members voiced agreement. The subcommittee agreed to report its work and recommendations to the full committee the next day.
Votes at a glance: Motion to adjourn the Senate Judiciary subcommittee meeting on SB 2029 — Passed (voice vote; chair announced adjournment).
