Joint Budget Committee adopts conference reports, adds budget placeholders and targeted funding adjustments

The Joint Budget Committee on April 28 adopted conference committee reports and approved several budget adjustments affecting FY 2026‑27 funding.

Vice Chair (speaking as the moving member) told the committee he moved to begin with the Senate version of the conference report for House Bill 14‑11 and to adjust a dental cap as described in the committee’s first report; the committee approved the motion and later formally adopted the first report by a 6‑0 vote. "I move we adopt the first report of the first conference committee on House Bill 14, 11," the Vice Chair said during the session.

Why it matters: the committee’s actions create the conference record the JBC staff will use to finalize the long bill and related reports and set several budget placeholders that will appear in the fiscal plan for FY 2026‑27.

Key actions approved included directing staff to add a general fund placeholder of $2,300,000 identified in the fiscal note for what the transcript refers to as "Senate Bill 26 42" and to increase a reclassified amount from $30,000,000 to $44,700,000 for FY 2026‑27. The Vice Chair moved those adjustments and the committee approved them 6‑0.

The committee also approved adding $7,000,000 total funds (including $2,900,000 general fund) to exempt additional maternal and NICU codes from provider rate reductions; members confirmed that Family Planning Codes that receive a 90% federal match were included. "The codes that are included are the ones in the April 23 email from Senator Kirkmeyer," a staff speaker explained during the vote.

Separately, the JBC added $7,700,000 total funds (including $3,800,000 general fund) to delay by six months a policy ending the automatic enrollment of youth aging out of the children's extensive supports (CES) and children's residential habilitation program (CHRP) waivers into the adult comprehensive DD waiver, moving the intended implementation date to 01/01/2027. The Vice Chair framed the motion as a temporary delay to allow operational transition; the motion passed 6‑0.

Members also voted to direct staff to prepare the conference committee reports on the long bill and on House Bill 14‑10 based on the committee’s prior discussions and approved motions. The committee agreed that staff would produce the draft reports and that members would have an opportunity to sign them when completed.

Director Craig Harper of JBC staff told members he would provide an updated general fund overview reflecting the committee’s actions and that the conference committee report would be available for signing. "I'll have an updated general fund overview to present then that reflects all of your actions through today," Harper said.

Next steps: JBC staff will prepare the conference committee reports and an updated general fund overview; members planned to reconvene to sign the report and review materials. The motions described above carried by unanimous votes and will be reflected in the committee’s conference reports.