Appropriations panel scales House Bill 1016 to $275,000, calling it a ‘keep the lights on’ allocation

The committee accepted a reduced fiscal package for House Bill 1016, approving an amendment (J003) that captures a negotiated cut to $275,000 from the bill’s initial $1 million request.

A presenter explained that the bill as introduced asked for about $1 million, which the House reduced to $500,000, and that further conversations with the Department of Higher Education produced the $275,000 figure the department said is required to ‘‘keep the lights on’’ for the program. Committee members described the amount as a scaled-back continuation rather than full program funding and commended efforts to lower the fiscal exposure.

There was no extended floor debate after the fiscal explanation; the committee adopted J003 and approved the bill on a 6–1 recorded vote. A dissenting member voted ‘no’ but did not offer an amendment on the floor.