Appropriations committee adopts letter confirming $3 million for Capitol restoration

The Joint Committee on Appropriations adopted a letter of intent confirming that $3,000,000 in general funds appropriated by HB 1131 will be used for restoration, maintenance and repair of the State Capitol, with priority for public-facing areas on the building’s third and fourth floors.

Representative Kassem, who introduced the item, said the appropriation in HB 1131 "appropriated $3,000,000 in general funds to restoration, maintenance, and repair of any state capital building, historic area, or object" and noted that the Joint Committee on Appropriations intended "for the monies to be allocated for the benefit of the public through the restoration, maintenance, and repair of areas and objects visitors from the public regularly see, with priority given ... to such areas and objects on the Third And Fourth Floors of the Capitol." The committee voted to adopt the letter of intent on a voice/roll call vote; the secretary recorded 17 yeas and one member excused.

Nut graf: The motion formalizes legislative intent about how the appropriation from HB 1131 should be prioritized and gives the committee a documented expectation that visible public spaces on the Capitol’s upper floors receive preferential attention.

Committee discussion was brief. Senator Howard moved adoption of the letter of intent; Representative Cassin seconded. No public testimony was offered during the item. The roll call recorded 17 members in favor and one excused member.

Ending: The adopted letter of intent will be included with the committee’s records and guide agency implementation of the HB 1131 appropriation.