CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 256(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; repealing appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date."   SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 256(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; repealing appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." and CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 257(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 257(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." 4:10:00 PM Representative Neuman MOVED that Senator Kelly serve as the presiding chair of the FY 17 Conference Committee on HB 256 and HB 257. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Kelly MOVED that Representative Neuman serve as Vice- Chair of the FY 17 Conference Committee on HB 256 and HB 257. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Kelly reviewed procedures pertaining to the conference committee. He noted that both the House and Senate budget process allowed for public testimony. That portion of the process was concluded; the conference committee would not accept further public testimony. Unless invited by the Chair, only members of the conference committee would take part in discussions or sit at the table. He noted that the director of the Legislative Finance Division would be invited to sit at the table beginning with the next meeting. Chair Kelly observed that the Legislative Finance Division had been directed to prepare the "motion sheets" for use by the conference committee. The motion sheets summarized the differences between the two versions of the bills before the conference committee and were located on the Legislative Finance Division's website. Chair Kelly explained that the conference committee would operate under Uniform Rule 42. All action required a majority vote from each body for adoption. A copy of Uniform Rule 42 and related legal opinions were provided in each member's packet. Motions required a majority of each body. Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED that all appropriations and language in the FY 17 operating budget that were identical in House and Senate versions of HB 256 and HB 257 be adopted. Representative Gara OBJECTED for DISCUSSION. Representative Gara WITHDREW the OBJECTION. He hoped there would be a discussion of items that fell outside of Rule 70. Chair Kelly stated that the request was only allowed under permission of the Speaker of the House and the Senate President. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Kelly observed that the committee would need limited powers to reach agreements. He explained that under limited powers the Conference Committee could adopt any amount between zero and the higher of the House or Senate version of each item subject to conference. Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to ADOPT a letter requesting limited powers of free conference for the items that were not identical. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Chair Kelly observed that the committee meetings would be posted on BASIS under the 24-hour rule. He relayed the expectation that the committee would meet every afternoon at 4:00 p.m. until a consensus was established. HB 256 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HB 257 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.