This Week at the Statehouse – Week 9

This has been an interesting week at the State Capitol. It started with the Legislature receiving a briefing on the coronavirus COVID-19. Then the Board of Regents asked the three universities to move as quickly as possible towards the ability to deliver instruction virtually after spring break. Talk about the coronavirus continues at the Capitol. But as of today, the legislative session will continue as usual.

The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met on Thursday, March 12. The REC was established as a way to arrive at consensus on state revenue estimates to be used by both the Governor and Legislature for the budget process. Membership is comprised of the Governor’s designee, the Director of the Legislative Services Agency and a third person agreed upon by the other two members.

In general, the March REC did not change their estimates in any significant amount. The March numbers are as follows:

• FY 2020 - $8,090.70 million which is an increase of $76.1 million as compared to the December REC estimate
• FY 2021 - $8,236.70 million which is a decrease of $12.3 million as compared to the December REC estimate

If the REC in their March meeting raises the State’s net general fund revenue estimate for the subsequent fiscal year, the Governor and Legislature are to use the lower amount estimated in December. If the REC during the March meeting lowers the net general fund revenue estimate for the subsequent fiscal year, than the Governor and Legislature are to use the lower amount.

Now that the REC has met, we expect the Legislature to release their budget targets for each subject area soon so the start of the appropriations and budgeting process can begin in earnest.

Floor debate and committee debate filled the week again as lawmakers work to get their legislation to the other chamber for consideration. The end of next week marks the second funnel day when Senate bills and joint resolutions must be reported out of House committees and House bills and joint resolutions must be reported out of Senate committees. This does not apply to budget and tax bills.

A few of the Board of Regents registered bills that had action this week:

HF 2361 prohibits employers from requiring that employees have a microchip implanted or from offering incentives for employees who do get microchipped. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill and it is now eligible for House consideration.

HF 2541 establishes an interim study on the disclosure of officer personnel files related to a Brady-Giglio list and to study implementing such a list statewide. The bill passed the House and it is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SF 2298 exempts certain retired peace officer from having to be certified by the Department of Transportation to teach drivers education. The bill passed the Senate and it is now in the House Transportation Committee.

SF 2329 includes occupational therapists as health care providers for treating concussions at high school sport contests. The House Education Committee passed the bill and it is now eligible for House consideration.

If you have any questions, please email me at mary.braun@uni.edu.