Committee Summary for Senate Finance (05/09/2025)

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Carson, Sharon(R)[C]2024
Watters, David(D)[CT]2024	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1 2025-2010s 00:05:01.680 - 12:03:37 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024
HB282 00:12:59.240 - 12:11:35 PM	Executive Session	increasing the maximum benefits for first responders critically injured in the line of duty.	Trottier, Douglas(R)[B-]2024
HB653 00:15:12.440 - 12:13:48 PM	Executive Session	establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.	Petrigno, Peter(D)[CT]2024
HB658 00:16:23.839 - 12:14:59 PM	Executive Session	raising the cap on certain reimbursements from the oil discharge and disposal cleanup fund.	Edgar, Michael(D)[CT]2024
HB667 1737s 00:18:25.880 - 12:17:01 PM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to health education and requiring the viewing of certain videos demonstrating gestational development from embryo to fetus through birth by public school students.	Sellers, John(R)[A-]2024
HB763 20225s 00:22:34.080 - 12:21:10 PM	Executive Session	relative to school emergency plans for sports related injuries.	Drye, Margaret(R)[A-]2024

HB1 2025-2010s: Senator Carson Information Only00:05:01.680 - 12:03:37 PM; Senator Carson introduced amendment number 2025-2010s to House Bill 1, which deletes section 443 concerning Medicaid provider rate reduction. This amendment ensures that Medicaid provider rates remain unchanged. Additionally, Senator Carson mentioned two other amendments to restore funding to the developmental disabilities wait list and the community mental health program support.
HB1 2025-2010s: Senator Waters Support00:07:12.720 - 12:05:48 PM; Senator Waters commended the committee and the Senate for their decision to maintain Medicaid provider rates, emphasizing the importance of Medicaid as a lifeline for many citizens. They expressed satisfaction with starting the budget deliberations with this amendment.
HB1 2025-2010s: Senator Pearl Support00:08:11.000 - 12:06:47 PM; Senator Pearl supported the amendment to maintain Medicaid provider rates, highlighting the significance of the program to citizens and the ease of this decision among other budget considerations.
HB1 2025-2010s: Senator Rosenwald Support00:08:57.720 - 12:07:33 PM; Senator Rosenwald supported the amendment to restore funding to the developmental disabilities wait list, recalling the positive impact of ending the wait list in 2007 and its importance to the community.
HB1 2025-2010s: Senator Bzel Support00:10:54.399 - 12:09:30 PM; Senator Bzel supported restoring funding to the community mental health program, emphasizing the state's efforts in mental health and the necessity of continued funding.
HB282: Senator Pearl Information Only00:12:59.240 - 12:11:35 PM; Senator Pearl suggested passing and tabling House Bill 282 due to its potential expenditure of up to $500,000, recommending its consideration within the broader budget context.
HB653: Senator Lang Information Only00:15:12.440 - 12:13:48 PM; Senator Lang moved for an ought to pass and table motion for House Bill 653, due to its expenditure between $100,000 and $500,000 per year, suggesting it be considered within the broader budget resolutions.
HB658: Senator Pearl Support00:16:23.839 - 12:14:59 PM; Senator Pearl supported passing House Bill 658 without tabling, as it reallocates funds within the oil distribution fund and does not impact general funds.
HB658: Senator Burton Support00:17:24.000 - 12:16:00 PM; Senator Burton supported the bill, emphasizing the careful consideration in the reallocation process to minimize impact on consumers and agreeing with the decision to pass it directly.
HB667 1737s: Senator Waters Oppose00:18:25.880 - 12:17:01 PM; Senator Waters expressed concerns about House Bill 667, particularly regarding the inclusion of the community college and university systems in health education curriculum mandates. They suggested removing these institutions from the bill's requirements.
HB667 1737s: Senator Inis Oppose00:19:35.760 - 12:18:11 PM; Senator Inis agreed with Senator Waters, viewing the bill as an overreach into academic freedom and trusting the institutions to make appropriate curriculum decisions.
HB667 1737s: Senator Carson Oppose00:20:29.919 - 12:19:05 PM; Senator Carson concurred with the previous speakers, highlighting the potential issue of withholding degrees for non-compliance with the health education requirements. They suggested amending the bill to exclude the community college and university systems.
HB763 20225s: Senator Rosen Information Only00:22:34.080 - 12:21:10 PM; Senator Rosen moved an ought to pass motion for House Bill 763, with Senator Waters seconding. An amendment was proposed to strip the $160,000 appropriation and replace it with $1 of general funds.
HB763 20225s: Senator Rosen Information Only00:23:20.720 - 12:21:56 PM; Senator Rosen discussed the creation of a fund for AEDs, which would be established with private donations, grants, and gifts, along with a minimal general fund allocation of one dollar to initiate the fund. The fund is intended to be non-lapsing, ensuring its longevity. He mentioned working on this amendment with Senator Apprentice and noted that the prime sponsor, Representative Dry, was supportive of creating the fund without immediate funding.
HB763 20225s: Senator Rosenol Vote00:24:08.480 - 12:22:44 PM; Senator Rosenol moved amendment 2025s, which was seconded by Senator Lang. The amendment was discussed and passed with no opposition. Following the amendment's approval, the committee voted on the bill as amended, which also passed with no opposition. Senator Birdell then moved for consent, which was seconded by Senator Rosenall and passed.
HB763 20225s: Senator Greg Information Only00:26:33.559 - 12:25:09 PM; Senator Greg discussed a bill related to state park and robotics education, mentioning that Commissioner Edel had requested a change from 'unencumbered balance' to 'unobligated balance' during his budget request. This amendment was to be considered and held until the next meeting.
HB763 20225s: Senator Lang Vote00:27:28.440 - 12:26:04 PM; Senator Lang moved for Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on a bill concerning excess funds paid to municipalities for school districts, citing an ongoing lawsuit as a reason for not acting prematurely. The motion was seconded by Senator Bzel and passed without opposition. Consent was then moved and passed.
HB763 20225s: Senator Waters Information Only00:30:43.679 - 12:29:19 PM; Senator Waters discussed the complexity of bills related to landfill items and energy, noting that some bills might be better addressed in HB2 due to financial implications and existing policy. He suggested that policy committees should handle bills still in their purview, especially as the deadline approaches.
HB763 20225s: Senator Kane Information Only00:37:38.240 - 12:36:14 PM; Senator Kane provided a detailed overview of bills included in HB2, discussing their status, whether they were retained by the House or Senate, and recommendations on whether to retain or remove them from HB2 based on their progress and potential impact. He also addressed questions about specific bills and their implications on the budget.
HB763 20225s: Senator Lang Information Only01:13:34.719 - 1:12:10 PM; Senator Lang discussed the importance of monitoring the surplus statement and the implications of Ways and Means revenue estimates on the budget. He highlighted the need to consider the rainy day fund withdrawals and the potential need to allocate funds for the YDC claims fund, suggesting a possible reallocation from the governor's group two retirement proposal if necessary.
HB763 20225s: Senator Gray Information Only01:16:56.480 - 1:15:32 PM; Senator Gray addressed the financial implications of the budget, noting the House's withdrawals from the rainy day fund and the need to restore funds to maintain the state's bond rating. He also mentioned the potential need to adjust revenue splits between the general fund and the education trust fund to manage surpluses and fund priorities.