Appropriations committee trims infrastructure request, advances education and transportation funding items; vets veterans funding mechanics

The House Appropriations Committee took votes on a set of funding bills and discussed several education and veterans‑service measures during the session following the HB13-32 hearing.

Representative Steeman moved to reconsider House Bill 15-77, and the motion to reconsider carried on a roll call (17 yes, 5 no, 1 absent). Following floor discussion, members amended HB15-77 to reduce the proposed appropriation in line 8 from $50,000,000 to $25,000,000; Representative Kempnick moved that amendment and Representative Meyer seconded. The amendment passed (roll recorded: 21 yes, 1 no, 1 absent). The committee later approved a do-pass recommendation on HB15-77 as amended; committee members said they would add study language in the second-half assignment to identify a longer-term funding source and coordinate with agencies that handle industrial and public finance.

Committee members discussed specifics of the amended HB15-77. The amendment preserves separate $12,500,000 caps for certain city or project allocations noted in the bill…