Senate subcommittee directs amendments shifting Veterans Home requests to special funds

Members of the Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division on an agenda item for the Veterans Home directed legislative staff to draft amendments that would use the home’s special fund authority rather than additional general fund dollars for several budget requests.

Committee members focused first on a proposed $400,000 line‑item transfer from salaries to operating to cover contract nursing costs. Senator Magram said the transfer would need drafting and that, if the home wants the change in the current biennium, “they would need an emergency clause.” Grant (staff member) clarified that the change would be a shift of authority between line items — reducing one line and increasing the other — and would not itself create new spending authority.

The direction to use the home’s special funds echoed repeated committee remarks about a large balance in the Veterans Home operating account. Senator Davison and others noted the home’s Fund 380 balance has grown in recent years — from about $4.4 million in 2020 to more than $8 million in 2024 — and several members said they were reluctant to add general fund dollars while the special fund balance remained available.

Committee members also agreed to include in the drafting: $175,000 for resident garage and storage units (identified in testimony as Melvin Nordgaard funding), authority to provide meals for staff who must remain at the facility during emergency situations, and $50,000 for marketing and advertising. Stephanie (Legislative Counsel) and other staff said the committee could write language specifying these authorities come from special funds rather than the general fund.

The committee discussed nursing‑pay adjustments described in testimony as “nursing salary equity.” Several members proposed increasing the hourly equity amount under consideration. Senator Magram asked staff to prepare an amendment reflecting the committee’s preferred dollar figure so members could review it before action.

Members instructed legislative counsel to draft the amendments and bring the language back for committee review before any final vote. The committee also agreed to set aside Senate Bill 2007 while they moved to other agenda items.

Ending: Committee members repeatedly emphasized a preference to use the Veterans Home’s special fund authority where possible and asked staff to return with formal amendment language and fiscal technicals for final action.