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Appropriations committee approves supplemental K‑12 school facilities appropriations
Summary
The committee passed 25 LSO 0596, a supplemental K‑12 school facilities appropriations bill, which includes reporting requirements, component project authorizations totaling about $29.8 million, contingency and unanticipated-cost language, and provisions allowing funds to be expended until project completion.
The House Appropriations Committee voted to pass 25 LSO 0596, the supplemental K‑12 School Facilities Appropriations bill, by roll call with seven ayes.
Mr. Richards, budget staff, outlined the bill’s structure and noted standard capital-construction language that makes appropriations available until projects are complete and clarifies that amounts "are not an entitlement or a guaranteed amount." He described reporting requirements and conditions for transfers between projects.
Committee discussion covered the bill’s component projects: Mr. Richards identified approximately $29,800,000 associated with the component projects and an unanticipated-cost allowance of $1,789,963 (about 6% of the listed component projects). He noted that two authorized projects listed in the bill did not have sufficient funds within the appropriation to be fully funded and that, historically, those projects could receive funding if reversion or savings became available from other projects. The record also reflected reductions totaling $175,279,217 from the previously proposed budget in the markup packet; committee members discussed the possibility of later revisiting a high‑school project and other removed items.
Mr. Richards explained that the committee may amend the bill during later stages, and that if amendments are made before introduction they have a different procedural pathway than if they are offered on the floor after referral. He said the committee could mark up the measure and later supply final amended language to the chair for introduction.
The clerk recorded the roll call as: Representative Aleman, Aye; Representative Angelos, Aye; Representative Harrelson, Aye; Representative Pendergraft, Aye; Representative Sherwood, Aye; Representative Smith, Aye; Chairman Bair, Aye. The clerk announced seven ayes and the bill was reported do pass by the committee.
No public testimony was presented on the bill in committee during this hearing.
