House passes amended budget bill to restore full work hours, funds for schools and health programs

The House of Representatives passed House Bill 24-6, House Draft 1, a revision to the Appropriations and Budget Authority Act for fiscal year 2025, on a 16-1 roll call after adopting a floor amendment and a subsidiary motion to broaden eligible uses for a travel allocation.

The bill, described on the floor as a time-sensitive revision to restore government employees who had been subject to austerity measures back to full work hours, was moved for first and final reading by the floor leader and carried after debate and amendments. Representative Patrick San Nicolas offered an amendment to reserve $300,000 for travel and lodging costs for students participating in interscholastic sports leagues and academic competitions for school year 2024–25. Representative Yanktamai offered and the chamber adopted a subsidiary motion to add "cultural competitions" to the list of eligible uses.

Why it matters: lawmakers said the revision allows the governor to lift austerity measures in the executive branch and return affected employees to full hours while providing targeted funds for student activities and other needs identified during negotiation.

Discussion and amendments Representative Patrick San Nicolas offered the floor amendment (House Draft 1) specifying that "funds appropriated under ORG 11881100, 300,000 now shall be reserved for travel and lodging accommodation within the Commonwealth for students participating in the PSS intercollegiate sports leagues and academic competition for school year 2425" and that PSS must provide a detailed expense report after the fiscal year. The amendment was seconded and discussed on the floor; Representative Yanktamai successfully moved to insert "cultural competitions" after "leagues," expanding eligible uses.

Members urging caution raised questions about prior allocations that had been discussed in earlier meetings. Representative Hivo asked whether an earlier $600,000 transfer discussed with the PSS commissioner had been reduced and where remaining funds would be used; a committee chair replied that $350,000 would remain for general PSS uses and $300,000 would be reserved for travel and lodging for competitions. Representative Aquino urged constituent-driven fundraising as a supplement, while others said PSS should obligate funds for programs it creates.

Vote and next steps The clerk recorded the roll call vote: 16 yes, 1 no. The record shows House Bill 24-6, House Draft 1, passed the House and will be transmitted per standard procedure. The recorded no vote was cast by Representative Marissa Flores. The bill text and adopted amendment require PSS to submit a detailed expense report to presiding officers and the chairs of the fiscal committees within 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2025.

Formal action The House carried the main motion to pass House Bill 24-6, House Draft 1, as amended. The adopted amendment (House Draft 1) and the subsidiary motion expanding eligible activities to include cultural competitions are part of the enacted House-level version to be sent forward.