The appropriations subcommittees passed their base budget bills during the second week of the legislative session. Each base budget was presented on the house and senate floor for approval by the body. The committee base budgets were passed to ensure funding was set aside for appropriation priorities. This process was expedited during the 2021 Legislative Session because of cuts during the summer special sessions. The base budget bills secure funding while leaving flexibility for discussion and debate. Additional appropriations can be included throughout the session.
H.B. 8 – State Agency and Higher Education Compensation Appropriations also passed through both legislative bodies last week. The passage of this bill secures funding for a 3% labor market increase for state employees, which will go into effect on July 1, 2021. It also covers funding the 4.3% health insurance premium increase, coverage for retirement rate changes, and continuation of the up to $26 per-pay-period 401(k) match for the URS defined contribution plan.
As the 2021 Legislative Session continues, UPEA will lobby to secure additional funding for compensation and state employee benefits.
Click the links below to read each base budget bill:
| SB0005 | Natural Resources, Agriculture, & Environmental Quality Base Budget | Hinkins, D. |
| SB0006 | Executive Offices & Criminal Justice Base Budget | Owens, D. R. |
| SB0007 | Social Services Base Budget | Anderegg, J. |
| HB0001 | Higher Education Base Budget | Miles, K. |
| HB0004 | Business, Economic Development & Labor Base Budget | Watkins, C. |
| HB0006 | Infrastructure and General Government Base Budget | Sagers, D. |
| HB0007 | National Guard, Veteran Affairs, & Legislative Base Budget | Last, B. |
| SB0001 | Public Education Base Budget | Fillmore, L. |