Three legislative days remain in the 2020 Session based on the updated calendar approved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current calendar has the General Assembly returning on Wednesday, April 1st when we anticipate a full day of legislative activity. Passing key bills, such as the biennial budget and road plan will be a priority on Wednesday, as this is the last day the legislature can pass bills and still maintain their ability to override any gubernatorial vetoes. April 14th and 15th are currently scheduled as veto override days.

Budget Update

The primary focus heading into the next legislative day on Wednesday will be passage of the budget. The HB 352 Conference Committee met last week and agreed that given the current economic circumstances, they would revise revenue estimates downward  meaning they will have less money to spend in the final budget compared to the House and Senate budgets. The revised, or pessimistic, estimate is $115 million less in Fiscal Year 21 and $174 Million less in FY 22. 

The Conference Committee has already  agreed to forgo raises for teachers and state employees and increases in the SEEK formula and higher education to meet the reduced revenue estimates. Leaders warned that additional cuts will be needed and to expect the final budget to look much different than was passed by either the House or Senate. We expect an agreement on the budget by Wednesday, when the legislature will vote on the document. 

The General Assembly must also reach agreement on the Transportation Cabinet budget, HB 353, and Road Plan, HB 354. Both bills remain in the Senate Transportation Committee, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday morning.

Legislative Calendar

The updated Legislative Calendar for the session has legislators only using 53 of their allotted 60 legislative days. A few dates to keep in mind under the current calendar:

• March 27 thru March 31 – Recess
• April 1 – Return to act on legislation
• April 2 to 13 – Veto Recess
• April 14 & 15 – Two Final Legislative Days with Sine Die Adjournment scheduled for April 15