Cut-off day arrives in the House

Carcasses of dead legislation are piling up in the House and will be given their procedural burial at 5 p.m. today.

The life expectancy of policy bills is three days longer in the Senate. Formal cut-off day in that chamber is Friday.

These are the policy bills. Most anything with money involved – whether the state spends it or collects it – are exempt from cut-off and labeled NTIB (Necessary To Implement the Budget.)

Here’s the calendar for key dates this session.

Why are the two chambers different? You’ll see the House leadership set today for policy bills while giving its appropriations committees until Friday to send legislation to the Ways and Means Committee. Next Tuesday is the deadline to act for budget committees to both chambers.