JOINT APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:             $19,600.00

Priority #: 1         Agency budget review

The Committee will review budget reduction transfer authority proposed by the Governor under Section 323(e) of the 2016 Budget Bill and consider supplemental budget requests and reductions in accordance with state revenues.

Priority #: 2         Community college funding model review

Review the funding model for community colleges and determine whether the model requires revision pursuant to 2016 Budget Bill, Section 320.

Priority #: 3         Receive, review and respond to reports

Receive reports on the following topics and take action as necessary:  tribal liaisons; state health insurance market, expansion of employees' and officials' group health insurance; workers' compensation fund; UW aircraft loan financing plan; UW School of Energy Resources report on Powder River Basin coal; retirement system employee performance; agency budget transfers; UW family practice centers; K-12 ECA and ADM trends; K-12 transportation funding; and Medicaid waiver rebasing.  Committee will make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on the K-12 ECA as required.

Priority #: 4         Codify budget bill provisions and examine programs for budget reductions.

Examine budget bill provisions (footnotes and section 300s) that could or should be codified. In addition, examine programs that may require statutory revision in order to reduce funding levels.  Deletion contingent on SF 91 being signed by the Governor.

Priority #: 6         State employee health insurance benefits

Review employer paid contributions to state employees' and officials' group health insurance benefits.  The review will include consideration of the plan benefits, including deductible levels.  This topic will include a review of benefits provided to dependents and how that coverage affects potential or actual adverse selection. The committee will also consider the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the cost of the plan and the potential for the "Cadillac tax" to be imposed.

Priority #: 7         Local government funding

The Committee will review state grants, loans and other state-involved revenue distribution mechanisms and assistance programs available to cities, towns and counties.

Priority #: 8         Continuation of review of state accounts

Continue review of state accounts and the level of the unexpended, unobligated funds in those accounts.  The Committee will consider the account purposes, revenue flows, and manner of investment.

Priority #: 9         Severance tax and federal mineral royalty distributions

Examine the statutory formulas for severance taxes and federal mineral royalties, including both funds distributed "over-the-cap" and "under-the-cap".

Priority #: 10       Planned meetings

The Committee intends to meet for one, two-day meeting in July; a one-day meeting in late October; and one week in December.

Meeting Schedule
1-2 Day meeting  & 1-1 Day meeting