Chairman: SB 2151 is a $100 million appropriation; committee may change funding source

Chairman Watson opened the Appropriations — Government Operations Division meeting by describing plans for amendments to Senate Bill 2151, calling it “a hundred million dollar appropriation.”

The committee is considering switching SB 2151’s funding source from legacy earnings to the motor vehicle excise tax and coordinating the change with the Department of Transportation, Watson said. He said he and other senators, including Senator Thomas, are discussing how to “meld” SB 2151 with a separate bridge bill and that leadership may support funding a combined package at roughly half the current value.

“Senate Bill 2,151 is it's a big appropriation. It's a hundred million dollar appropriation,” Chairman Watson said. He added that he is “working with Senator Thomas and some of the leadership” and that he “might be looking at amendments” to change the funding source and to pair the bill with related transportation legislation.

Watson told the committee he expects written amendments could be ready for presentation later in the week. He said the proposed approach is to alter the bill’s funding mix and, if necessary, trim program totals to reach an agreement with leadership and with bills pending in the transportation committee.

Committee members discussed coordinating testimony and technical briefings. Watson said he had contacted Denver Tolliver of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute about appearing before the committee but suggested Tolliver could participate remotely if only a few questions remain.

No formal motion or vote on SB 2151 was recorded in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee discussed amendment drafting and interagency coordination; staff were identified as preparing possible language to present to the committee later in the week.

The committee adjourned formal session until the afternoon hearings on separate bills.