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Committee amends and passes bill loosening state limits on tribal health capital spending
Summary
Lawmakers voted to adopt an amendment to House Bill 12‑52 that removes a state cap on how much tribal health‑coordination funds may be spent on capital construction and struck a sunset provision; the committee then passed the bill as amended.
The House Human Services Committee on Tuesday adopted an amendment to House Bill 12‑52 that removes a state‑imposed cap on the percentage of tribal health‑coordination funds that may be used for capital construction and eliminated a sunset provision restricting that authority, then passed the bill as amended by roll call.
Representative Dobrevich, who offered the amendment, told the committee the change would "pull state government out of dictating what tribal government can use the funds for," and that existing law already requires audits and periodic reports and limits expenditures to the 10 essential public‑health services.
Committee members debated whether to simply remove the percentage cap or also extend the sunset. Representative Belinski and others suggested keeping a time‑limited approach could make the bill easier to pass on the floor; Representative Dobrevich said she preferred removing arbitrary limits entirely but would accept extending the sunset if necessary to advance the measure.
The committee took a roll call on the amendment. The clerk recorded votes: Chairman Ruby (Yes), Vice Chairman Freilich (Yes), Representative Anderson (Yes), Belts (Aye), Belinski (Yes), Davis (Yes), Dobrevich (Yes), Fegley (Yes), Hendricks (Yes), Holly (Yes), Kiefert (No), Rios (Yes), Rourke (Yes). The amendment carried 13 to 1 on that roll call.
After the amendment, Representative Dobrevich moved the bill out of committee. On a subsequent roll call, the amended bill carried 13‑0. Committee members said they would work with legislative counsel and tribal partners to clarify drafting and auditing language as the bill moves forward.
