Committee advances House Bill 1 feed bill by voice vote

The Legislative Finance Committee voted to advance House Bill 1, the feed bill that carries appropriations for the legislative session, permanent legislative committees and the legislative department. Senator Gonzales made the motion, seconded by Senator Campos, and the presiding officer announced the result as nine in the affirmative and zero in the negative.

The motion was made after the chair asked for public support or opposition and noted there were no questions from committee members. The roll-call-style voice tally recorded 'yes' votes from senators including Brandt, Gonzales, Lanier, Padilla, Trujillo, Woods, Shindo and Munoz; the chair declared the bill carried for the committee's purposes.

Committee members briefly discussed a personnel/pay procedural point raised by Senator Trujillo — whether members who miss a session could forfeit a pay raise — and noted that changing such a policy would require an amendment.

After the vote the committee proceeded to a scheduled briefing on behavioral health reform and investment (Senate Bill 3). The committee chair said members would reconvene for floor activity the following morning and scheduled follow-up business tied to the approaching House Bill 2 appropriations timeline.