[co-authors: Katelyn Kingsbury and Drew Moretz, Government Relations Advisors]

This week, the House began working on the budget bill and Legislators considered other bills prior to taking a work break until the week of July 12.          

House Budget Bill

After receiving the Senate’s version of the biennial budget bill (S 105), the House this week began work on its version. A number of the House Appropriations subcommittees met to review the Senate provisions and start discussions seeking proposals for House provisions. House leaders have indicated that they seek to have a bill passed by the end of July and have mentioned a target date of July 23. Although a new budget bill was not enacted by the end of the state’s fiscal year on June 30, state government operations will continue with spending at the FY 21 recurring funding levels.

Farm Bill

The Senate passed the Farm Bill (S 605) this week and sent it to the Governor. The bill makes changes to a number of agriculture and forestry policies. There was extensive debate about a provision in the final bill that allows a general permit for digesters that collect gas from hog waste ponds.  

Medical Marijuana

The Senate Judiciary Committee this week approved a bill (S 711) that would authorize the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions. Among other things, it would allow this use for people with a “debilitating medical condition” such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and for which a physician provides a written certification. The Department of Health and Human Services would approve use by patients and dispensing by providers. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Health Care Committee.