Conference committee exchanges offers on agriculture, environment budget; adjourns

A committee member told the Appropriations Conference Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources that the Senate has submitted an offer to the House on a budget spreadsheet and conforming bill and that the House has presented an offer on provisos and implementing bill language. Committee members said the offers show progress toward agreement, and the committee adjourned after extending the negotiation deadline to 5 p.m.

The committee member said, "There is a ton grayed out," and added, "we feel this is a very good offer," referring to the House submission on provisos and implementing language. The speaker identified the Senate offer as being on the budget spreadsheet and conforming bill and said the two sides have "made considerable progress on the offer." Chair Esposito was addressed by members during remarks, and meeting logistics were discussed.

The committee noted the conference deadline had been extended from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Although it did just get extended for those of you that don't have the Internet. It was at 02:00. It is now 05:00 today," the committee member said. Members were told to "watch for meeting notices" and reminded that notices were being issued on one-hour notice.

Senator Trudeau moved to adjourn; the motion was adopted "without objection," and the committee was adjourned. A committee member said the Senate will review the House offers and that the committee "may have time for one more meeting."