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Votes at a glance: Ways and Means advances deferred bills, approves fee changes and assigns reports
Summary
The committee recorded outcomes on multiple bills: HB1648 (interim study, 17–0), HB301/HP1301 (OTP, 18–0), HB1594 (OTP, 18–0), HB1738 (OTP, 18–0), HB1751 (ITL, 18–0) and others. HB1542 was deferred for a revised fiscal note and HB1655 deadlocked 9–9; report authors were assigned.
The House Ways and Means committee completed a set of executive actions after a long series of work sessions.
Key outcomes:
- HB1648 (property tax exceptions): The committee voted to place the bill in interim study by a unanimous roll call (17–0). Representative Almy will author the majority report.
- HB301 / HP1301 (increase certain mooring fees; direct funds to cyanobacteria mitigation fund): After hearing Department of Environmental Services and Department of Safety testimony on costs and mooring classifications, the committee voted OTP (ought to pass) in executive session by roll call, 18–0. The bill would increase mooring fees to replenish the cyanobacteria mitigation grant account.
- HB1594 (weight‑based tiered registration for electric/plug‑in hybrid vehicles): DMV testified the change would better align fees with vehicle road‑use; committee voted OTP 18–0.
- HB1738 (regional greenhouse gas initiative / ratepayer benefits): DES testified that staying in RGGI produces net financial benefits under current modeling; committee voted OTP 18–0.
- HB1751 (state park public safety parking surcharge): DNCR explained collection and practicality problems — the language as drafted would mostly affect a few metered coastal sites and not day‑use parks, and mixed cash/electronic payments complicate a 5% surcharge — and the committee voted ITL 18–0.
- HB1542 (renewable energy fund rebate): Deferred — committee requested an updated fiscal note and DOE assessment before further action.
- HB1655 (state dam maintenance funding): The committee deadlocked 9–9 on a motion (no prevailing motion); majority and minority reports were assigned to capture the split positions.
Several bills were moved to the consent calendar and report authors were assigned with a Tuesday 5:00 PM deadline for final drafts.
Quotes: "The fund [cyanobacteria mitigation] is nearly depleted and projects can run into the hundreds of thousands; a modest fee increase will help," DEES witness Amy Smagula said. "We need a sustainable approach to dams, but not at the expense of fairness," Representative Opel said on HB1655.
What’s next: Report authors will file their majority/minority reports and the committee will reconvene on outstanding items when updated fiscal analysis is available.
