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House approves bill to let state offset lost federal funding for programs amid shutdown
Summary
The House passed HB2002 to allow the state to fund or offset federal programs affected by the federal government shutdown, explicitly inserting language to cover funds "lost due to the federal government shutdown." Representatives cited child nutrition impacts and invoked Utah's state sovereignty statute; the bill passed 70-0 and goes to the Senate.
The Utah House on Oct. 16 adopted House Bill 2002, a measure aimed at allowing state authorities to cover or offset losses to federally funded programs incurred because of the federal government shutdown. Representative Dee offered a floor amendment inserting the phrase "to offset federal funds lost due to the federal government shutdown" after the word "programs," narrowing the bill’s stated purpose to losses tied to the shutdown.
Representative Christiansen urged that the House make a clear journal statement reserving the state's expectation of repayment and invoked Utah Code 63G-16-101, describing it as an affirmation of state sovereignty and rights of set-off. "We reserve an expectation of full and prompt repayment," he said, urging that the state treasurer and executive management consider offset rights against future federal obligations.
Supporters highlighted immediate consequences for child nutrition. Representative Briscoe told the chamber the National School Breakfast Program serves 77,899 children and the National School Lunch Program serves 330,000 meals a day in Utah, and warned that thousands of providers and programs could be affected without state action.
The sponsor and others clarified the amendment was intended to cover an actual shutdown, not sequestration or other federal funding adjustments. Representative Dee said fiscal analysts recommended the language and the amendment was adopted; summation was waived and the House recorded a final tally of 70 yes votes and 0 no votes. HB2002 passed the House and will be transmitted to the Senate.
Sponsor remarks stated the authority would be temporary; Representative Kennedy noted the measure’s authority would expire Dec. 1, 2013. Debate included assurances that the state would seek reimbursement or exercise rights of set-off where appropriate.
