Senate hearing concludes as HAVA funding changes impact election positions

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government convened on April 7, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, including Senate Bill 5537. The meeting began with the chair closing the hearing on the bill and thanking the presenters for their contributions.

Following this, the chair informed the committee that the Secretary of State's office was scheduled to present the next day, but it was likely that this meeting would be canceled. The chair committed to confirming this with the committee coordinator to avoid any scheduling conflicts. However, the public hearing for Senate Bill 5537 is confirmed for Wednesday, where public testimony will be taken.

A significant topic of discussion was the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds, which have remained static at approximately $5 to $6 million every biennium for the past five cycles. The committee noted that a similar request to shift two positions from HAVA funding to the general fund was made last biennium, but it was determined that sufficient federal funds were available to support those positions at that time. The current proposal to transition these positions to the general fund was not unexpected, given the ongoing decline in HAVA funds.

Senator Manning raised a point of confusion regarding the status of HAVA funds, suggesting they had been exhausted. The chair clarified that while the funds have been declining, the agency occasionally receives unexpected allocations, allowing the program to continue operating. This ongoing situation with HAVA funds has been a recurring theme in the committee's discussions.

The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the members for their participation and officially adjourning the session. The next steps will involve the scheduled public hearing on Senate Bill 5537, where further discussions and public input are anticipated.