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Committee concurs in bill that would repeal Board of Public Assistance after debate over access to appeals
Summary
The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 12-9 to concur in Senate Bill 194, which would repeal the Board of Public Assistance; supporters argued for reform or study, while opponents warned repeal would limit accessible appeals for low-income residents.
The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 12-9 to concur in Senate Bill 194, which would repeal the Board of Public Assistance (BOPA), following a contentious exchange about how low-income residents appeal public-benefit denials.
Representative Revas urged colleagues to oppose reconsideration and repeal, saying the board provides an accessible forum for people who cannot afford lawyers. "This is the board when public benefits like your food stamps are denied," Revas said, adding that individuals often cannot afford to take cases to district court and that repeal would clog court dockets and disadvantage claimants.
Vice Chair Howe and other members said there may be room for reform but noted the practical access-to-justice role the board plays. "Forcing those folks to go straight to court when ... the department has all the weight of ... legal staff behind them... is really a thumb on the scales," Howe said.
The committee first voted to remove SB 194 from the table after a roll-call that recorded 12 yeas and 9 nays. The committee then proceeded to a roll-call concurrence vote and again recorded the same margin, moving SB 194 forward.
The roll-call votes included several proxy votes recorded during both the motion to remove from the table and the final concurrence. The committee chair and clerk read individual yea and nay votes before announcing the final tally.
With concurrence in the committee, SB 194 will advance according to the legislative calendar and the usual next steps for a concurred Senate bill.
The committee adjourned after completing executive action; members were told to expect additional executive action on Wednesday for remaining Senate bills not related to revenue.
