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JFAC approves $75.4 million package for Department of Environmental Quality including ARPA reimbursements and remediation transfers
Summary
Committee approved a $75.4 million package for DEQ including targeted pay to reduce turnover, a Water Pollution Control Fund transfer to the Environmental Remediation Fund, funding for Triumph Mine remediation, ARPA reimbursements for infrastructure grantees and $10 million general-fund transfer to water pollution control grants.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a multi-part funding package for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Thursday that totals $75,436,300 across general, dedicated and federal funds and includes program-specific transfers and re-appropriation authority.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, described enhancements adopted by the committee: targeted pay increases aimed at reducing permitting turnover ($592,800); a $1.5 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the Environmental Remediation Fund to support Superfund cleanup projects; $1,030,000 for remediation at the Triumph Mine; $73,813,500 in ARPA State Fiscal Recovery funds to reimburse infrastructure grantees under the agency’s schedule; a $641,600 general-fund add offset by a federal funds reduction for a net-zero personnel fund shift; and a $10,000,000 general-fund transfer to the Water Pollution Control Fund for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure grants.
Senator Woodward underscored the targeted-pay enhancement as intended to reduce permit-processing delays and retain experienced staff; committee discussion referenced longer permit turnaround times and the need to maintain permitting capacity for economic activity.
Representative Woodward moved the package, with Representative Manwaring seconding. The motion passed in committee with a combined tally of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused and will carry a due-pass recommendation.
The committee also adopted language (re-appropriation and conditions) related to the ARPA reimbursements and grant administration; that language passed in separate procedural action. DEQ additionally received a FY 2025 narrow exemption allowing flexibility for indirect cost accounting as the agency implements a new accounting system; that language was adopted by unanimous consent.
The motions approve fund transfers and appropriations; they do not change environmental statutes or set new regulatory standards — they allocate and direct resources to ongoing remediation and infrastructure programs.
