Legislative branch budget for FY26 rises about $2.1 million, JLMC packet cites benefits and internal service fee increases

Summary

The Legislative Management Committee packet recommends $24,544,703 for the legislative branch in fiscal year 2026, an increase of roughly $2.1 million from FY25 driven mainly by benefit rate and internal service fund increases; JLMC previously approved the packet on Dec. 11, and staff highlighted no new ongoing positions overall.

Scott Moore, legislative finance manager at the Joint Fiscal Office, presented the legislative branch proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, saying, “I bring to you today the legislative budget for fiscal year '26.” The packet posted online shows a FY25 appropriation of $22,427,405 and a FY26 recommendation of $24,544,703 — a roughly $2.1 million (about 9.4%) increase he attributed primarily to higher benefit rates and internal service fund charges.

The packet and discussion matter because the legislative branch budget covers not only legislators' pay but support functions including legislative operations, legislative IT, human resources, legislative council, and the sergeant at arms. Moore said the JLMC reviewed the packet in December and “approved what was in the packet,” while noting subsequent updates to internal service fund charges and benefit rates added roughly $518,000 to the total after the JLMC meeting.

Moore summarized driving factors behind the increase: higher employer payroll-related costs, a reported…

Legislative branch budget for FY26 rises about $2.1 million, JLMC packet cites benefits and internal service fee increases

Summary

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