House declares emergency to fast-track consideration of budget bill

The House declared an emergency to expedite consideration of a fiscal-year budget measure, voting unanimously with all 19 members present, the clerk announced. The floor leader began the motion under the Open Government Act, saying, "Pursuant to the Open Government Act and the official rules of the House of Representatives, I move that this House agrees that an emergency exists."

The emergency finding related to Senate communication 24-137, which returns House Bill number 24-108 HS1 as amended by the Senate. The Speaker placed that communication on the bill calendar for action after the motion carried. By a unanimous roll call the chamber suspended ordinary timing and moved to take up the Senate-returned bill the same day, a step members said was needed to address pressing fiscal-year matters included on the agenda.