House Committee advances S89 to Appropriations after unanimous committee vote

The House Committee on General & Housing voted to advance S89, a survivor-benefits bill, out of committee on April 10, referring it to the Appropriations Committee after a 10-0-1 roll call.

Representative Molly, the committee chair, said the bill is based on the Senate draft with two changes under draft 3.1 and described the measure as targeting professions whose duties put them at elevated risk — firefighters, police officers, family services employees and other first responders. "This gives the state — the state gives their heirs, their families $80,000," Molly said, adding that the payment is in addition to other benefits.

Committee members discussed two specific adjustments in draft 3.1: one change to the bill's timing language (the record contains inconsistent references to whether that change is prospective or retrospective) and a provision authorizing the Treasurer's office to hire outside expertise to evaluate claims that involve complex workplace exposures. The chair noted that firefighter claims have an established body of guidance, while claims for some non-firefighter occupations may require expert review.

The committee's clerk, Betsy Ann, reviewed the bill's procedural path and advised the chair that the bill should be referred to Appropriations. "She looked at the bill very thoroughly, and concluded pretty quickly, yes, it had to go to appropriations," the chair said. The committee also discussed whether Ways and Means would be involved; the chair reported that after consulting Chris Roop the bill would not need Ways and Means and would instead go to Appropriations.

A motion to vote on S89 version 3.1 was made and seconded; the clerk then called the roll. The recorded yes votes were Representatives Bartley, Burrows, Charlton, Dodge, Dalden, Howard, Krasnow, Lamont, Pezzulo and Chair Molly; Representative Parsons was absent. The clerk explained the committee's three-number reporting convention (yes/no/absent) and read a tally of 10-0-1.

Representative Mary, who spoke as a longtime sponsor on the House side, thanked committee members and said she was "really excited to vote in favor of this bill," noting it had been under consideration for several years and expressing hope the benefit will never be needed.

The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration because the committee determined the measure involves expenditures from a fund. Committee members scheduled additional testimony and said they would return to other agenda items, including S328, after the break.

The committee took a recess and indicated the next procedural step will be the Appropriations Committee's hearing and any further action there.