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Minutes for HB2364 - Committee on Appropriations
Short Title
Appropriations for FY 2018, FY 2019, FY 2020 and FY 2021 for various state agencies.
Minutes Content for Fri, Mar 24, 2017
Chairman Waymaster opened discussion on the bill.
Chairman Waymaster reviewed an amendment that restores funding in FY 2018 for the University of Kansas (approximately $1.5 million), and Kansas State University (approximately $1.1 million) (to a 4 percent reduction or total of approximately $2.6 million), and deletes the same amount of funding for the universities from the State General Fund (SGF) from the Board of Regents Teacher's Scholarships (Attachment 1). The FY 2019 amendment restores to a 3 percent reduction for funding all universities (except Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and Kansas State University Extension) which deletes approximately $6.2 million from the SGF for FY 2019.
Chairman Waymaster made a motion for an amendment regarding the Board of Education Teacher Scholarships restored fund to a 4 percent reduction for the University of Kansas and Kansas State University in FY 2018 and all universities (except, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and Kansas State University-ESARP) for FY 2019 Representative Davis seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Representative Schroeder made a motion to restore the funding for the Rural Opportunity Zones. Representative Lakin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Representative Schroeder asked for consideration of HB 2403 to be referred to the Commerce Committee. Chairman Waymaster stated that this is a recommendation that would be at the discretion of the Speaker of the House.
Representative Phelps made a motion to fund the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System at $135.8 million in FY 2018 and $194.2 million in FY 2019. Representative Helgerson seconded the motion.
Discussion followed by committee members regarding the motion. It was noted that the motion does not include further review at Omnibus, however the motion does include the fourth quarter payment which was delayed. Concerns were expressed that the motion would increase debt, as well as unknown budget issues that will need to be addressed after the April 20th consensus revenue estimates are reported.
Representative Phelps renewed the motion. Motion carried.
J.G. Scott, Legislative Research Department, responded to questions from committee members. He reported that the motion would update the ending balance as a negative $394.4 million in FY 2018 and $412.4 million in FY 2019. This does not include the tobacco securitization or tax revenue except for what is current law.
Representative Concannon reviewed an amendment regarding the provider tax and privilege fee (Attachment 2). The amendment reflects additional SGF and deletes funding from the Health Care Access Improvement Fund, as was included in the Governor's recommendation not being considered as of March 21, 2017.
Discussion followed by committee members as related to the impact of the amendment on the SGF and Medicaid issues related to hospital privilege fees as included in HB 2180. J.G. Scott provided a review of the Governor's recommendations, and noted that the amendment would be a $29.3 million increase to the SGF and would add back $9 million for further review at Omnibus. Any reductions to Medicaid caseloads for eligible services would require policy changes, he noted.
Representative Concannon made a motion for an amendment that adds $65 million for increased Hospital Provider Assessment, and delete $163.5 million from the Health Care Access Improvement Fund in FY 2019. Representative Helgerson seconded the motion.
Representative Concannon reviewed the motion, following additional discussion by committee members.
Representative Concannon renewed the motion. Motion passed.
Representative Landwehr made a motion to include language to the Social Services Budget Committee Report acknowledging the Kansas Department for Children and Families and its contractors (Attachment 3). Representative Jones seconded the motion.
Discussion followed regarding the motion. J.G. Scott stated that this was information received after the budget committee report, and in order to be permanently recorded this would require the committee's approval.
Representative Landwehr renewed the motion. Motion passed.
Representative Hoffman reviewed a proviso as related to unencumbered balances within the Kansas Department of Education (Attachment 4).
Representative Hoffman made a motion for a proviso that would request the Department of Education to work with school districts to develop a policy regarding unencumbered fund balances. Representative Davis seconded the motion.
Discussion followed regarding the motion.
Representative Hoffman renewed the motion. Motion failed.
Representative Tarwater made a motion to remove all of the Judicial Branch enhancements in the budget. Representative Concannon seconded the motion.
Discussion followed by committee members. The FY 2018 enhancements totaled approximately $22.2 million and $21.9 million in FY 2019. Discussion continued regarding the funding of unfilled judge and staff positions.
The meeting recessed at: 10:15 a.m.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 10:28 a.m. He stated that the committee will continue discussion with possible action on the bill on Monday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m. There may be additional meetings held throughout the day, which would include notification by e-mail and possible announcements in committee and/or when the House is in session.
Meeting adjourned at: 10:30 a.m.
