The State Legislature Finance Committee on Feb. 18 voted to retain four bills for consideration in the upcoming budget deliberations, including an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure and requests affecting retirement contributions, conservation grants and a youth shelter.

Committee members said the measures would be considered later as staff and other committees reconcile limited available revenue. Representative McGuire moved to retain House Bill 97, an appropriation to the Department of Environmental Services for wastewater infrastructure projects; the motion carried 21-0, the clerk reported.

The committee retained House Bill 197, a measure that would pay 7.5 percent of certain local retirement contributions for political subdivision employees. A roll call produced a 21-0 vote to retain the bill, committee members said. Committee members noted the bill carries an estimated cost of about $28,000,000 per year.

The committee also agreed to retain House Bill 246 directing the State Conservation Committee to implement a conservation district climate resilience grant program. Committee members said the bill would authorize a small grant program of $50,000 per year for two years; the retention vote was reported as 22-0. Finally, the panel retained House Bill 519, an appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter; Representatives Edwards and Tlorski moved and seconded retention, and the clerk reported a 22-0 vote. Committee members stated the request in HB 519 seeks $500,000 in each of the next two years.

Votes at a glance:
- House Bill 97 (appropriation to Department of Environmental Services for wastewater infrastructure projects): Motion to retain moved by Representative McGuire; clerk reported 21-0 to retain. Dollar amount: not specified in committee discussion.
- House Bill 197 (state payment of a portion of retirement contributions for political subdivision employees): Motion to retain (mover not specified in transcript); clerk reported 21-0 to retain. Committee discussion identified the measure would cover 7.5% of certain local retirement costs and estimated the cost at about $28,000,000 per year.
- House Bill 246 (conservation district climate resilience grant program; appropriation): Motion to retain moved by Representative McGuire; clerk reported 22-0 to retain. Committee discussion identified the grant size as $50,000 per year for two years.
- House Bill 519 (appropriation to Department of Health and Human Services for Waypoint youth and young adult shelter): Motion to retain moved by Representative Edwards and seconded by Representative Tlorski; clerk reported 22-0 to retain. Bill requests $500,000 in each of the coming years.

Committee members repeatedly framed these votes as retention for further budget consideration: retaining a bill means it stays under consideration as the Finance Committee and Ways and Means reconcile revenue and spending priorities. Several members noted revenue constraints and said the retained bills will be considered as the committee attempts to fit priorities into the available budget.

The committee adjourned with direction that retained measures will be considered during the budget process; no final appropriations or rejections were made at the meeting.