Appropriations panel approves DNR equipment amendment after debate over relevance to collision bill

The House Appropriations Committee adopted a J amendment to Senate Bill 132 that sponsors said would permit a one‑time DNR expenditure from enterprise cash funds to purchase breathalyzers for DNR officers; the amendment and the bill as amended were advanced to the Committee of the Whole.

Representative Joseph moved the J001 amendment. Representative Taggart expressed skepticism about the amendment’s relevance to a bill focused on vehicle collisions that cause death or severe bodily injury, asking, “I have a hard time believing that's gonna take place in a state park with a vehicle. It just does not seem like a direct correlation to me at all.”

Supporters said the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers sometimes perform law enforcement duties in state parks and that DNR’s enterprise cash fund could support a one‑time equipment purchase. Committee staff said the cash fund could handle the expenditure and emphasized it was a targeted, one‑time item.

After discussion the committee held a roll call on the J amendment and later voted to move the bill to the Committee of the Whole; the Chair announced the amendment and the bill passed on recorded votes of 8 to 3. Members asked for clarity on the funding source; sponsors said they would provide additional detail if the bill advances.