Appropriations committee advances indemnity fund, 9% pay raise and other bills to 'due pass'

Representative Grego told the General Government Appropriations and Budget Committee he was not asking for state money in House Bill 3404, a measure to preserve a statutory framework for an indemnity fund tied to prescribed-burn plans. "We're not asking for any money," Grego said, adding sponsors hope private contributions and a $250-per-plan fee would help the fund grow toward about $500,000 to cover civil damages should a controlled burn escape.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the fund would lower the financial risk for landowners who follow a burn plan and notify neighbors and authorities. Committee members asked how long it would take to build a meaningful balance; Grego said it would likely take time and that insurance companies might contribute.

Other action: The committee reported several additional bills out with 'due pass' recommendations. Representative Grego also presented House Bill 2958, proposing a 9% pay raise for state employees; Grego said the raise aims to address retention after no general increase since 2019. The clerk announced the committee vote as 8 ayes, 0 nays.

Representative Archer advanced House Bill 3175 to begin creating state-level nuclear regulatory frameworks in anticipation of future federal decisions; the committee supported sending the bill forward by a recorded vote (clerk announced 4 ayes, 3 nays). Representative Lawson presented House Bill 3621 to recreate a state 'data center' for coordinating 2030 census activities and LUCA (local updated census addresses) work, saying the language will be amended to make appropriations subject to availability of funds. The clerk announced 6 ayes, 1 nay on that bill.

Other measures the committee reported out included: House Bill 2962 (Representative West) to remove statutory time limits and refund caps for certain tax overpayments and to extend refund rights for members of federally recognized tribes (clerk announced 6 ayes, 0 nays); House Bill 3566 (Representative Wolfley) to raise the title-transfer fee (clerk announced 6 ayes, 1 nay); House Bill 3047 (Representative Tedford) to designate LOFT as a clearinghouse for statutorily required reports (clerk announced 6 ayes, 1 nay); House Bill 4301 (Representative Blair) to align a state rule with the federal VA appraisal contingency (clerk announced 7 ayes, 0 nays); and House Bill 1979 (Representative Ransom) to form an early-childhood programs task force (clerk announced 4 ayes, 2 nays).

Failed or retained in committee: Representative May's House Bill 3336, which would have removed the statutory CIO salary cap in OMES, received 2 ayes and 5 nays and remained with the committee.

What comes next: The committee recessed to allow staff to switch systems and said it would reconvene to hear emergency management budget items. Several presenters said they would offer technical amendments; Representative Lawson said he would make the census-related language explicitly subject to available funds.

Quotes from the hearing: Representative Grego on the indemnity fund: "We'd like to get about $500,000 in this fund." Representative Lawson on the state data center proposal: "It is not a data center like you may be seeing thrown around a lot on social media." Representative Blair on the VA clause amendment: the bill "mirrors the federal VA escape clause."

The committee recorded votes and announcements through the clerk for each item; the meeting recessed for a short break while staff prepared the next presentation.