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Committee votes 16–0 to recommend ITL on bill addressing emergency budget authority
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to find SB 488 'Inexpedient to Legislate' after debate over whether the bill would inappropriately shift budget-making authority to the governor and whether a narrower fix could address the problem.
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee voted unanimously to recommend that Senate Bill 488 be found Inexpedient To Legislate (ITL), effectively tabling the measure. Committee members expressed concern that the bill’s broad language could shift budget authority away from the legislature in emergency circumstances.
"The bill is presented...the original bill is terrible in my view and, shouldn't be passed," Representative Darje said, explaining his motion for ITL and expressing concern about the bill’s scope. Members debated whether a narrow, targeted measure might address gaps that arise if the legislature fails to pass a budget on time, but several said the proposed language risked abdicating the legislature’s constitutional responsibility.
Some members said an interim study could be worthwhile, while others argued that the committee should not erode legislative authority. Representative De Vries noted tradeoffs between limiting gubernatorial emergency powers and preserving incentives for negotiation: "...there was discussion about whether or not this would remove some of the brinksmanship associated with the budget." After discussion, the clerk called the roll and the motion for ITL passed by a vote of 16–0.
What happens next: With the committee recommendation recorded, SB 488 will remain on the regular calendar for visibility but the committee has signaled it will not advance this text. Committee members said they may return with a narrower fix or study the issue in the interim.
