The budget is moving quickly through the Senate process, and we wanted to offer an update on where things stand. The budget bill, now formally Amended Substitute House Bill 33 (hereafter referred to as HB33) was officially referred to the Senate Finance committee on May 3. Now the informal hearings that have already been occurring for weeks in the Senate can be formal hearings.
Senate Health Committee
In an attempt to keep things moving, the Senate Health committee, which is serving as the budget “subcommittee” on health and human services—aside from topics covered within the Departments of Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities—has already heard from nearly all agency directors and has begun public testimony. Listed below is the tentative remaining budget schedule for the Senate Health committee.
- Tuesday, May 9 at 9am:
- Testimony from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
- Public testimony (with a preference for testimony related to the agency testifying on this day)
- Wednesday, May 10 at 9am:
- Public testimonyThe Senate Health committee is chaired by Sen. Steve Huffman. Public testimony is limited to 5 minutes (and they’re timing people!) and should be submitted to the chair’s office 24 hours in advance of the hearing.
There is another tentative opportunity for public testimony in this committee on Thursday, May 11.
Senate Medicaid Committee
As for the Senate Medicaid committee, which is serving as the budget “subcommittee” on Medicaid and developmental disabilities and is chaired by Sen. Mark Romanchuk, it has already heard from the directors of the departments of Medicaid and Developmental Disabilities and similarly began public testimony of May 4. There is another tentative opportunity for public testimony in this committee on Thursday, May 11. And if the schedule is consistent, this will likely take place at 9am—testimony is due to the chair’s office by 9am on May 10.
Senate Finance Committee
Since HB33 only recently was referred to Senate Finance, chaired by Sen. Matt Dolan, we are not yet sure of the Senate Finance committee schedule, but will provide an update when we know more.
The closer we get to June 30 (the end of the fiscal year), the faster it feels like all of this is moving. We are happy to help and answer questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our policy team!
