The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
During a late-night session that stretched into the early hours of this morning, the Senate approved the budget and other financial bills.
The Senate approved the budget – House Bill 2 and related bills – on a vote of 27-14. The Senate amended the bill, so it now heads back to the House for concurrence. If one chamber doesn’t agree to the changes made by the other, a conference committee will be formed.
The Senate also approved the film incentive bill – House Bills 607 and 622 – which now caps annual payouts from the program at $50 million. The House previously approved a cap of $45 million, so this bill also heads back to the House for concurrence.
House Bill 628, which would increase employee payments into retirement plans, passed on a vote of 30-10. It heads back to the Senate for concurrence as well.
Last, the Senate approved the capital outlay bill, Senate Bill 218, on a vote of 40-1. It now heads to the House for first-time consideration.