Appropriations Committee February 20th Meeting [Source] Translate

The committee meeting for appropriations was convened with representatives present, including Representative Walker, Representative Nuccio, and Representative Ackert. Representative Summers was noted to be attending online later. The committee reviewed several bills, including: 1. A proposed Senate bill concerning funding for school-based mental health services in rural areas, aimed at appropriating funds to the Department of Education for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. 2. A proposed Senate bill to increase the per diem rate for members of the State Board of Labor Relations from $150 to $300. 3. A proposed House Bill concerning funding for school meals, which aims to provide free breakfasts and lunches to eligible students. 4. A proposed House Bill for funding the installation and maintenance of radar speed signs on Forest Road in New Haven. 5. A proposed House Bill for appropriating $1.5 million to Continuum of Care Incorporated for emergency housing programs. Representative Walker moved to raise all the bills for subject matter public hearing, which was seconded by Representative Nuccio. After a brief discussion, the motion passed with a voice vote. The committee also discussed raised bill concepts, including topics such as teachers' disability and retirement benefits, compensation for victims of unlawful funeral services, a study of unidentified aerial phenomena, and a job program for access to food, housing, and health care benefits. Representative Walker moved to accept all raised bill concepts, which was seconded by Representative Nuccio. A question was raised about microtransit, which was explained as a transportation policy allowing smaller vehicles to provide services in areas that do not require large buses. The motion to accept the raised bill concepts also passed with a voice vote. The meeting was then recessed until the agency briefings at 1 p.m., with a reminder that attendance votes would remain open until that time.