Appropriations committee clears several House bills, keeps grant program running

The Senate Committee on Appropriations advanced multiple House bills on unanimous or near‑unanimous votes and agreed to place appropriate items on the consent calendar.

House Bill 1003 passed unanimously and will appear on the committee's consent calendar. House Bill 1026 was moved to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation and likewise recommended for consent.

Sponsor Sen. Simpson explained that House Bill 1051 continues an existing grant program funded by federal dollars and preserves administrator pay so currently encumbered grants can be completed. "If the grant program ends in September, they have to give the $600,000 back," Sen. Simpson said, describing a grant to San Miguel Electric Cooperative in Rico for batteries in a microgrid that could not be completed because the equipment was delayed. Committee members confirmed the administrative costs described in the fiscal note are funded by federal dollars and not state general fund.

Committee members placed the advanced bills on the consent calendar where appropriate and then adjourned. The chair said the committee will reconvene on Friday.