DAS presents HB 5002 budget asks including $22.3 million wrongful-conviction pass-through and $15.5 million deferred maintenance

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government held an informational hearing on HB 5,002 on March 5, 2025, where the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) summarized the agency's budget outlook and specific policy option packages.

DAS Deputy Director and Chief Administrative Officer Debbie Dennis told the committee the governor's recommended DAS budget is largely steady compared with the current biennium but includes several notable adjustments tied to expiring ARPA funds and a set of POPs under consideration. "The value of this POP is $22,300,000. DAS covers the legal fees and passes through the settlement fees over to DOJ," Dennis said, referring to a request related to wrongful-conviction settlements.

The budget picture and why it matters

Dennis said DAS's core operating revenue is principally other funds (about 48 percent), derived from agency assessments and fees for service, while lottery, federal and general funds are mostly pass-throughs. She said the apparent declines on some lines reflect the phase-out of ARPA funding rather than permanent program cuts.

Key POPs and requests

- Wrongful-conviction pass-through (POP 152): Dennis said the POP has a total value of $22.3 million to cover legal fees and settlements passed through to the Department of Justice; DAS requested $7.5 million…