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Subcommittee approves most DOA proposals, adds $1.2M for rural public radio emergency communications
Summary
House Finance subcommittee largely accepted the governor's Department of Administration budget and added $1.2 million UGF for emergency communications at rural public radio stations while declining two AI-related allocations.
The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Administration recommended an FY26 operating budget that accepted multiple governor proposals, funded additional staff in public advocacy and retirement services, and added $1,200,000 UGF for emergency communications at rural public radio stations.
Subcommittee totals: UGF $96,265,900; DGF $34,367,800; Other $203,445,300; Federal $1,287,100; total $335,366,100. Position totals: 1,200 permanent full‑time, four permanent part‑time and 26 temporary (1,230 total). Compared with the governor's proposal, the subcommittee changed fund sources in several requests, added a Tech 2 position in retirement and benefits, authorized overtime eligibility for guardian ad litem and public guardian staff, and added four positions at the Office of Public Advocacy across fund sources.
Why it matters: The committee redirected funds to rural emergency communications via public radio and declined two governor allocations tied to AI tools and pilot projects, citing fiscal constraints and a preference to prioritize human resources.
Members asked about the use of retirement trust fund sources to hire a centralized retirement Tech 2 and whether board permission was required; Legislative Finance analyst Rob Carpenter explained the retirement division is primarily funded from trust accounts and the legislature, not the ARM board, sets appropriation. Representative Kerrick requested the public radio emergency funding; staff said the subcommittee added it based on that request though no additional backup was provided in the packet.
The subcommittee set an amendment deadline and accepted member amendments to maintain specific items such as the transfer of labor relations work and other governor proposals. The narrative and B.A. report accompany the subcommittee recommendation to the full committee.
