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Committee declines to advance harm-reduction bill, cites definitional and funding questions
Summary
Finance Committee debated SB 239 (harm-reduction services) and voted 9-8 to not recommend it for further legislation, saying the bill needs clearer statutory definitions and is contingent on federal funding.
The Finance Committee on Aug. 23 voted not to recommend Senate Bill 239, legislation concerning the use and definition of harm-reduction services. The vote was 9-8 after a period of debate about the statute’s definitions and funding implications.
Kevin Bridal of the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office told the committee the bill would require the department to establish and administer statewide access points for substance-use services "with the availability of sufficient federal funding," and that it should have no general-fund impact if federal money is available. Representative Stringham moved to recommend the bill for further legislation, arguing it was an important issue that should be addressed. Several members, including Representative Priess, said the bill needed more work on what "harm reduction" means, noting that different states use different definitions and that clearer language was required.
After discussion, members voted on a motion to not recommend SB 239 for further legislation; the motion passed 9-8. Committee members asked those who made the winning motion to prepare the formal report and noted continued interest in addressing the issue in future sessions.
