The 96th Legislature is nearing its end but how the final days go is still up in the air.
Leadership in both parties agree the final day of the main run of session will occur Thursday as scheduled. Leaders in both chambers say things are looking good for an early to mid afternoon adjournment, but no one wants to jinx it just yet.
HB1100, the Medical Marijuana bill, is expected to take center stage again Wednesday. The bill was heavily amended in the Senate and now goes back to the House floor where it’s expected to receive a lengthy debate. A House/Senate conference committee seems likely as the two chambers work out how to best implement medical marijuana in the state.
Meanwhile, state appropriators are nearing the completion of their work. State law requires that lawmakers balance the budget before adjourning, a complicated process that has been underway since the first legislative day. Revenues are at record highs and the appropriations process slowed by huge requests and a complicated House, Senate, and Joint Appropriations process.
Once the remaining bills have been addressed and a general budget submitted, lawmakers will pause for a few hours as Legislative Research Council teams perform last minute reviews and set the permanent record.
Both chambers will then adjourn until March 29th when lawmakers return to take up any vetoes issued by the Governor before calling Sine Die – Latin for ‘without day’ for any future meeting.
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