Chair Greg Falk called the Section A Subcommittee of Appropriations to order and used the meeting’s first hour to set procedure and logistics for the session, including a schedule for agency presentations and a plan to take executive action on the base budget next Monday. "We were supposed to take executive action on it today, but since we didn't meet yesterday, we're gonna push that off until next Monday," staff lead Molly Delcurto told the committee.

The subcommittee—responsible for the general government portion of the state biennial budget—heard staff lay out how members should receive materials, how agenda items will be structured and what the committee’s role will be in reviewing agency change packages and internal proprietary rates. Delcurto said binder packets given to members contain the base budget sheet that will serve as the starting point for the committee’s work and reiterated that staff will post agency presentation materials to the committee website seven days ahead of each appearance when possible.

Why it matters: the committee’s early agreement on timelines and methods affects how thoroughly members can review agency requests before voting. The subcommittee will recommend changes to the broader House and Senate appropriations processes; its work relies on having materials available with enough lead time to allow scrutiny and drafting of amendment language.

Staff and communications: Delcurto identified herself as the lead staffer for Section A and introduced legislative staff on hand, including Ethan Bergen, Katie Gunther, and Office of the Governor liaison staff Sonia Powell and Angie Nelson. She asked members whether e-mail or Microsoft Teams should be the committee’s primary communication channel; members favored using both. Members were also reminded to mark packet versions with dates so the committee can track revisions.

Agenda and expectations: Delcurto reviewed the committee’s primary tasks—approving or rejecting agency change packages (also called decision packages), reviewing internal proprietary rates, and recommending line‑item or one‑time status for appropriations within House Bill 2. She explained that the committee’s vote on change packages will be treated as a recommendation to full House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees.

Logistics and minor housekeeping items included a long‑standing cell phone policy, guidance on proxy forms for absent members and an informal note that members who want snacks delivered to meetings should coordinate with the clerk and provide funds.

Next steps: the subcommittee will hear presentations from the Department of Administration next week, then take executive action on the base budget and begin rate approvals. Staff will attempt to post presentation materials seven days in advance and will provide updated binders and vote sheets to members ahead of those meetings.

Ending: With procedural questions addressed, Chair Falk called the meeting to order on substantive presentations to follow in the agenda.