Legislative Updates

State lawmakers adjourned their regular session yesterday as constitutionally mandated, having failed to complete passing the state’s next 2-year budget that begins July 1.  As a result, a special session will be required prior to that date to finalize all budget bills and avoid any state government shutdown.  Over the past week, this scenario has been expected as legislative leaders and the governor remained at loggerheads to resolve their fiscal differences.
 
However, their impasse regarding overall budget amounts (or “targets”) for various components of the state budget have now been agreed upon as announced yesterday.  Failure in reaching this preliminary agreement until now had hindered lawmakers in creating these omnibus finance bills that are required for the state budget.  One of these bills, the omnibus transportation finance bill, is key to deputy registrar sustainability and viability.
 
Consideration for enhancing deputy fee income remains actively in play with the special session that will ultimately determine a final omnibus bill to be enacted.  The same is true for self-service kiosks that would be exclusive for only deputy registrars.  Increasing deputy income continues to be considered as either a quarterly “rebate” (senate position) or a “hybrid” of both fee increases and a rebate program (house position).
 
Part of the announced agreement yesterday included a commitment to not raise any taxes in the budget.  We have asked and are awaiting whether this extends to user fees as well, which of course our filing fees are.  This will determine whether any filing fees can be considered in the final plan (as a hybrid approach).  Adding to the complexity (in a positive way), is whether new federal COVID funds just delivered directly to the state can be tapped for any deputy benefit as well (rebate approach).  This is currently being reviewed by the state.
 
In closing, there are still a lot of “moving parts” going into a special session, yet we remain cautiously optimistic of an eventual favorable outcome for deputies.  It is expected that this special session could occur beginning on June 14, but key lawmakers are currently conferring with each other (between house and senate) to have these omnibus finance bills ready by that time.  MDRA continues engaging with and pressing these prime decision makers to achieve our goals!
 
Thank you, deputies, for your ongoing work and interest in our efforts at the capitol!