A conference committee for Senate Bill 2009 failed to approve an amendment Friday that would have changed several funding lines in the state fair budget and moved money into the SIF account.

The amendment, offered by an unnamed committee member, proposed a $750,000 state grant for the campground rest facility with a 2-to-1 state-to-local match; removal of a $100,000 facility enhancements line; and an $850,000 grant for security and safety infrastructure at the state fair with no local match. The motion also sought to keep a Section 5 repeal and include the House version's emergency clause. Committee members discussed funding levels in the context of declining revenue projections.

Committee members recorded votes during a roll call. Chairman Thomas, Senator Connolly and Senator Meyer voted yes. Representative Natey and Representative Swantek voted no. The motion failed on the vote, and the committee adjourned consideration of Senate Bill 2009 without adopting the proposed amendment.

Members noted the broader revenue picture when explaining their positions. Representatives from the House side said earlier that, given current revenue estimates, they would not support higher amounts than previously agreed; the House position referenced in the discussion was smaller than the amendment the committee considered. The transcript shows committee members agreed earlier to reconcile some figures, but the specific reconciliations proposed in the motion did not receive a majority.

Sheila, a staff member present during the meeting, confirmed that the funding source for the amendment as proposed would be SIF; the transcript did not specify what SIF stands for. The committee also discussed a difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill regarding a Section 5 repeal and whether an emergency clause would be included; the motion sought to adopt the House language on those points.

The committee took up the amendment as an amendment to the conference report. After the roll call vote rejected the amendment, the chairman announced the conference for Senate Bill 2009 was adjourned.