Committee Summary for Senate Finance (05/30/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB2 00:12:39.680 - 12:41:20 PM	Executive Session	relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024

HB2: Chair of Senate Finance Committee Information Only00:12:39.680 - 12:41:20 PM; The Chair called the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order and moved into executive session. Discussed an alternative plan presented to the governor, which is being considered by the Republicans over the weekend. The session then moved to discuss the regular package, starting with adjustments to the allocation of revenues between the education trust fund and the general fund.
HB2: Senator Information Only00:13:54.079 - 12:42:35 PM; Explained the annual review of revenues and spending, proposing a change in the allocation from 41% to 35.5% for the education trust fund and from 59% to 64.5% for the general fund. This adjustment aims to meet obligations while maintaining a surplus balance in the education trust fund between $25 and $30 million.
HB2: Senator Information Only00:14:52.440 - 12:43:33 PM; Discussed adjustments to the Housing Appeals Board, noting a slight change in language to allow administrative assistants to work across boards. The motion to pass this item was approved.
HB2: Senator Waters Information Only00:15:59.680 - 12:44:40 PM; Moved to restore and fund certain positions within the Department of Corrections, following discussions with the interim commissioner to address mental health positions needed due to court orders. Specific positions were outlined for restoration and funding.
HB2: Senator Information Only00:17:40.400 - 12:46:21 PM; Clarified the funding and restoration of positions in the Department of Corrections, stating the net impact would be $1,583 in new spending. The motion to approve was passed.
HB2: Senator Rosen Information Only00:18:42.720 - 12:47:23 PM; Moved item number one with a friendly amendment to cut funding in half to $2.5 million per year, totaling $5 million over the biennium. The motion was approved.
HB2: Senator Information Only00:19:57.120 - 12:48:38 PM; Moved to remove items two and three A and pass item three B, which included amendments to HB2 concerning a $3.50 per ton fee on solid waste. The amendment addressed concerns about quarterly grant returns, late payment fees, and who should be financially responsible for the fee. The motion to approve was passed.
HB2: Senator Pearl Information Only00:22:11.440 - 12:50:52 PM; Moved to remove item one A and pass item one B concerning vehicle inspections. The amendment proposed new cars be inspected at purchase and then every three years, with older vehicles inspected annually but with reduced safety-focused requirements. The motion to approve was passed.
HB2: Senator Waters Information Only00:24:14.480 - 12:52:55 PM; Commended the work done on the vehicle inspection amendment, highlighting it as a common-sense solution that addresses safety concerns and constituent feedback on costs and inconvenience. The amendment was seen as a good compromise and was supported.
HB2: Senator DeWine Information Only00:26:57.520 - 12:55:38 PM; Expressed support for the vehicle inspection amendment, noting it reduced the number of inspection items from over 55 to about 25, focusing on safety. The amendment was seen as returning the program to its intended safety focus.
HB2: Senator Information Only00:28:41.200 - 12:57:22 PM; Discussed item number one on HHS concerning a contractor position to address a backlog. An amendment was proposed to limit the contractor's work to the backlog only, with an additional friendly amendment requiring six-month progress reports to various officials.
HB2: Senator Waters Information Only00:30:48.960 - 12:59:29 PM; Thanked the work done on the HHS contractor amendment, noting it addresses long-standing backlogs in eligibility determinations, which have financial impacts on nursing homes and CFI providers. The amendment was seen as a step in the right direction and was supported.
HB2: Senator Rosen Information Only00:32:13.640 - 1:00:54 PM; Senator Rosen discusses an amendment related to fees, indicating that it would bring in approximately $800,000. He moves the amendment, which is seconded by Senator Lang.
HB2: Senator Lang Information Only00:32:13.640 - 1:00:54 PM; Senator Lang seconds the motion made by Senator Rosen regarding the amendment.
HB2: Senator Birdell Information Only00:33:12.720 - 1:01:53 PM; Senator Birdell seconds the motion made by Senator Lang regarding item number two.
HB2: Senator Rosma Information Only00:33:12.720 - 1:01:53 PM; Senator Rosma discusses an amendment related to Medicaid expansion, expressing concerns about the premium structure. He notes that the premiums are based on household size and not on the cost of services used, which he finds problematic.
HB2: Senator Waters Information Only00:38:07.400 - 1:06:48 PM; Senator Waters raises concerns about the impact of the proposed premiums on individuals' budgets, questioning whether people might drop out of the program or face financial difficulties. She suggests a friendly amendment to require a report every six months on the success of collection and the impact on program participation.
HB2: Senator Rosen Information Only00:40:20.320 - 1:09:01 PM; Senator Rosen asks for clarification on the application of premiums to Medicaid and waiver services, questioning how the premiums are supposed to reflect the cost of services used by individuals.
HB2: Senator Pearl Information Only00:42:58.400 - 1:11:39 PM; Senator Pearl moves item number three with amendment number 2568, related to Senate Bill 135. He requests a committee amendment to allow the department to reallocate funds if needed, due to the potential cost of the bill.
HB2: Senator Bzel Oppose00:44:50.400 - 1:13:31 PM; Senator Bzel expresses opposition to the amendment proposed by Senator Pearl, citing concerns about the availability of funds for reallocation, especially given recent budget cuts.
HB2: Senator Birds Oppose00:45:40.800 - 1:14:21 PM; Senator Birds also expresses opposition to the amendment, concerned about the broad scope of the bill and the potential impact on community mental health centers, which have been affected by recent budget adjustments.
HB2: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:46:30.319 - 1:15:11 PM; The speaker expressed concerns about the financial implications of shifting money out of the community mental health system. They mentioned that hospitals are unable to discharge patients for non-payment and must continue treatment, leading to backlogs. The speaker noted ongoing issues with the accuracy of community mental health center case loads, which have been reported as incorrect for three years. They also mentioned joining Senator Burns Hall and clarified that an amendment was made to exclude community mental health from certain codes.
HB2: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:47:49.200 - 1:16:30 PM; The speaker discussed the current status of the amendment and the decision to hold it until Monday to allow for further work on multiple amendments, particularly concerning the codes. They mentioned that the amendment was made to address the chair's request and that there was no further room for compromise.
HB2: Senator Lang Information Only00:48:40.720 - 1:17:21 PM; Senator Lang discussed an issue with the Department of Insurance and the need for language in the law to help municipalities obtain better health insurance information for their employees. There was concern about potentially violating HIPAA, so the language was reviewed and amended to include a clause ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
HB2: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:49:43.839 - 1:18:24 PM; The speaker clarified that the amendment number 2025-2530s included a dollar amount, which was confirmed as such. The amendment was approved by the committee, with the only addition being the highlighted section ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
HB2: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:50:36.640 - 1:19:17 PM; The speaker announced the results of the vote on the amendment and provided information about the schedule for the next meeting, including a Republican caucus at 9:30 and the main meeting at 10:00. They mentioned potential recesses and the need to resolve big issues.
HB2: Unknown Speaker Information Only00:51:22.880 - 1:20:03 PM; The speaker called for any further comments or questions before moving to end the executive session. A motion to come out of the executive session was made, seconded, and passed.

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