HB 1817 (2018)

Establishes the position of state demographer, establishes a commission on demographic trends, requires state agencies to prepare 10-year cost projections, and requires the legislative budget assistant to include demographic impact notes on legislation. A conference committee amended the bill to add many new provisions. First, the amendment raises some state employee salaries. The amended bill also appropriates $20 million for red list bridge repair and $10.4 million municipally-owned high traffic volume bridge projects, and sends $10 million to the Rainy Day Fund. Another $2.5 million is appropriated for transitional housing for those leaving mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities. $300,000 is sent to the state loan repayment program, which helps employees in certain critical fields pay back student loans. The amended bill also appropriates $1 million to support "recovery friendly workplace programs" offered by nonprofits, such as programs that train employers how to reduce substance misuse in the workplace. Lastly, the conference committee revised the formula for "disproportionate share hospital payments," which go to hospitals for providing uncompensated care to low income patients.