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Key absences have helped Rep. Mark Neuman's bill to build a new legislative hall move forward.

Thursday before the House Finance Committee, two members were absent for medical reasons, both from rural areas where residents have often opposed capital move efforts.

Rep. Mary Nelson, D-Bethel, delivered a baby Wednesday afternoon and was unable to attend Thursday morning's meeting.

Also absent was Rep. Richard Foster, D-Nome, who is in Washington state awaiting kidney replacement. House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, an outspoken advocate of a capital move, has appointed himself to temporarily replace Foster.

Though Foster is a registered Democrat, he caucuses with the Republican majority and it is not clear how he would have voted on the issue.

Earlier, House Bill 54 passed out of the State Affairs Committee with a 4-2 vote, while Rep. Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, a supporter of keeping the capital in Southeast, was absent.

Johansen could have argued against the bill. He did not return phone calls asking the reason for his absence.

• Contact reporterPat Forgey at 586-4816 or patrick.forgey@juneauempire.com.