Lyset Cadena

At 10:05 p.m. on April 23, the legislature adjourned the 2023 legislative session, Sine Die.

The week kicked off with a focus on passing bills through the opposing house floor by Wednesday’s cutoff. All bills, excluding those crucial for budget implementation, had to secure approval by 5 pm that day, prompting legislators to engage in lengthy debates extending into late night and early morning sessions.

Last week, both chambers were diligently engaged in floor activities, prioritizing the passage of bills exchanged between them before the cutoff on Wednesday, April 12th. With a tight deadline of 5pm, all bills, except those essential for budget implementation, had to clear the opposite chamber’s floor to remain viable.

March 29 marked the deadline for bills to pass out of opposite house policy committees, leading the focus to shift to fiscal committees with a one-week turnaround before the April 4 fiscal cutoff. Bills not passing fiscal committee review by Tuesday are considered dead, unless deemed Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB). The next cutoff is on April 12, with statistics on introduced and passed bills provided for those tracking legislative progress.

This week, legislative sessions focused on policy hearings and budgets, with anticipation for economic forecasts. The Spring Revenue Forecast signaled moderation in budget proposals.

Last week centered on cross-chamber bill hearings, with some advancing. The upcoming focus remains on committee votes and impending budget discussions.

Legislators focused on passing bills before the house cutoff. The House finished after 8 pm, concluding with debates on gun control and communication services programs. In the Senate, an unheard bill on vehicular pursuits passed with an unusual split vote.

The week focused on floor action as bills faced the deadline for fiscal committees. Bipartisan support marked many bills.

Intense fiscal week featured long hearings, executive sessions on bills. Fiscal cutoff approaching; bills must pass committees. Next, floor actions before March 8 house approval deadline.

February 17 marked the house of origin policy cutoff; bills not passed are considered dead. The focus shifts to fiscal committee hearings and tight schedules for votes. The fiscal landscape poses challenges, and bills may be amended or face rejection due to fiscal constraints.