Committee refers bill on ODMH real-estate proceeds to oversight after staff Q&A

Chairman Simpson presented House Bill 3649 as a request bill for the Department of Mental Health that would allow proceeds from certain real-estate sales to be put into a real-estate trust at the Department of Health rather than reverting to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. Those funds would be used for future property purchases or development.

Representative Decker asked whether the properties identified are the same ones listed in an active RFP and whether the RFP requirement that awardees rent or utilize current facilities for up to one year would align with allowing those properties to be sold. Chairman Simpson invited ODMH staff to respond; Madison Miller, identified as the director of legislative affairs for ODMH, said she would need to consult staff and get back to the committee.

After that exchange and no further questions, the committee voted 4-1 to send the bill to the oversight committee for additional review.