JBC approves a package of bill drafts to run with the long bill, multiple motions pass 6–0

Following forecast selection, the Joint Budget Committee reviewed several bill-draft packets and approved motions to introduce multiple drafts to start in the House and run with the long bill. Committee staff and presenters described the scope and fiscal effects of each draft before the committee voted, usually by a recorded voice vote of 6–0.

Amanda Bickel, JBC staff, presented a technical correction (identified in the packet as LLS 9 50) to fix an incorrect citation for the judicial stabilization fund; the committee approved introduction 6–0. Kelly Shen and other JBC staff detailed a draft to repeal a small grant program (the comprehensive program referenced in the packet) and discussed whether the repeal should remove the statutory appropriation or the program language; the committee directed staff to prepare draft language reflecting the committee’s decision and approved moving forward.

The committee also voted to reintroduce and expand a repeal of certain behavioral health grant provisions (LLS 8 95 Repeal Behavioral Health Services), adding language discussed during figure setting. That motion passed 6–0 and the bill was assigned House and Senate sponsors and cosponsors as announced. Committee staff presented LOS 260922 (DOC infrastructure cash fund option) and a proposal to authorize DOC to spend the existing cash fund balance on specified facility projects or to sweep the balance to the general fund for balancing; members signaled support for introducing the draft.

Other actions approved on unanimous votes included eliminating a limited gaming fund transfer to higher-education research (LLS 20 6944), repealing an online benefits platform contract (LLS 206945), changing the Broadband Infrastructure Cash Fund language (LLS 9 22), and introduction of a repeal for the Office of Judicial Discipline ombudsman (LLS 0951).

For each draft the committee announced bill sponsors and cosponsors where applicable and confirmed the drafts would start in the House and run with the long bill. Staff noted several items remain subject to technical drafting changes and possible comebacks (adjustments after review). The committee recessed after completing the packet reviews.

Sources: On-the-record presentations by JBC staff (Amanda Bickel, Kelly Shen, Ms. Pope, Justin Brackie, Alfredo Kemp) and recorded committee votes from the March 16, 2026 meeting.