Senate keeps an $8 million cap on legislative cash fund after failed amendment to cut it to $5 million

The Senate on April 10 adopted House Bill 13‑32 to set a cap on the legislative department cash fund and transfer approximately $12 million back to the general fund.

Supporters described the bill as a transparency and fiscal‑responsibility measure. A member of the Appropriations Committee summarized the bill as an effort to limit the fund balance to no more than $8,000,000 at the end of each session and noted that current balances were described on the floor as about $18 million, with historical highs near $50 million.

Senator Pelton offered Amendment L4 to lower the cap to $5,000,000 and remove automatic inflation adjustments. Pelton argued the $8,000,000 cap was too high and that a $5,000,000 limit would align the Legislature’s approach with broader budget‑cutting expectations. The majority leader urged colleagues to vote no on the amendment, saying further work was needed with the executive committee and appropriations.

The amendment failed on a voice vote and the bill was adopted as provided by committee action. The clerk announced HB13‑32 was adopted and placed on the calendar for further reading.

What’s next: HB13‑32 was ordered for further consideration under the Senate’s reading schedule.