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Committee advances bill to move recovery‑house oversight under the BHA
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Summary
The House Finance Committee moved Senate Bill 113 to Appropriations after sponsors said the bill would remove a third‑party contractor layer and place recovery houses under direct Behavioral Health Authority oversight to prevent exploitation; amendment L15 was adopted to allow probation placements.
The House Finance Committee advanced Senate Bill 113 on April 13, voting to send the measure to the Committee on Appropriations with a 7–3 recorded vote and one member excused.
Sponsor Representative Carter said the bill removes a third‑party contractor that currently supervises many substance‑use recovery homes and instead places those homes under direct oversight of the Behavioral Health Authority (BHA). "There were places where individuals were being taken advantage of because we did not have that direct oversight," Carter said, arguing the change will improve protections for a vulnerable population.
Carter also introduced a combined amendment, L15, to clarify that the bill explicitly permits probation placements in comprehensive recovery homes. The committee adopted L15 without objection before the final motion to advance the bill.
Members questioned the fiscal implications of shifting supervision to the BHA. Representative Hartzell asked why a fiscal note shows higher costs in later years if the bill reduces a layer of bureaucracy. Carter and other sponsors replied that while the first year nets to zero, later‑year costs reflect the BHA staffing and licensing responsibilities. Representative Garcia noted the bill moves some activity from the general fund into a cash fund, saying the licensing fees will be borne by the entities themselves rather than direct general‑fund outlays.
No outside witnesses offered substantive opposition during the brief testimony phase; one person was present for questions only. With L15 adopted and no further committee amendments, Representative Camacho moved the bill to Appropriations and Representative Woodrow seconded. The clerk recorded a roll call; the motion passed 7 to 3 with one member excused.
The bill will next be considered by the Appropriations Committee.
