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JFAC approves $30 million ongoing for Water Management Fund, adopts transfer and reappropriation language
Summary
The committee approved a $30 million ongoing appropriation for water projects and associated technical language enabling transfers and reappropriation of ARPA/state recovery funds; the main appropriation and accompanying language passed on separate motions.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved an appropriation that includes $30,000,000 ongoing from the General Fund for the Department of Water Resources to support water infrastructure projects and adopted language that directs the mechanics of transferring and reappropriating those funds.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, explained the governors recommendation shows $30,000,000 ongoing that the committee would appropriate and transfer to the water management fund, a continuously appropriated account the Board of Water Resources uses for projects and grants. Representative Manwaring moved the primary FY2026 motion, which included $30,000,000 ongoing for water projects along with other items; the motion requested an additional $31,097,700 from the General Fund and 4 FTE. The committee recorded a combined vote of 15 ayes and 5 nays; the motion passed and will go to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Committee members subsequently took up language on the screen to implement the transfer and related reappropriation authority for ARPA and state fiscal recovery monies. Representative Ben Wray moved to adopt the language; Senator Woodward seconded. The committee voted to adopt the language with a final combined vote of 18 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent/excused, carrying a due-pass recommendation. That language included a cash-transfer section for the $30,000,000 and reappropriation authority designed to allow the board to obligate and pay bills as projects incur costs.
Committee members debated the mechanics and permanence of the $30,000,000, and Ms. Jessup clarified that because the governor proposed the amount as ongoing, it would be part of the FY2027 base budget unless the Legislature took further action. The committee also adopted, by unanimous consent, filing-fee language tied to the department's adjudication processes and separate intent language that directs use of the $30,000,000 for projects in Board Districts 3 and 4 for FY2026; the committee removed a proposed incidental-recharge provision after concerns were raised and deferred that discussion for later.
The motions and language provide the Department of Water Resources and the Board of Water Resources with funding and the transfer/reappropriation mechanics to move funds into continuously appropriated accounts for project deployment.
