House Bill 811, introduced by Rep. Jay Powell, co-signed by more than 60 House members, and having passed the House by 151-5, would have prevented the redirection of dedicated fees for the Solid Waste Trust Fund, Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, Peace Officer and Prosecutors Training Fund, and Joshua's Law (drivers education training). If dedicated fees were not appropriated for these statutorily-intended purposes, then the fees would be reduced or eliminated, proportionate to the amount that is redirected.  To minimize impact on the state budget, the new appropriation requirements would have been phased in.

The Senate Appropriations Committee added a provision that the fee reduction trigger will not kick in until the state's [rainy day] Revenue Shortfall Reserve is at least 7 percent of previous year's state budget, which would be about $1.1 billion currently.  The problem is that the Reserve has exceeded this amount only once since 1988. 

 

In conference committee, the Senate insisted upon language that ensured fee reductions would rarely, if ever, kick in.  Accordingly, House conferees refused to go along with language they felt defeated the entire purpose of the legislation and have pledged to reintroduce the bill next session.    

 

HB 811 Talking Points