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Appropriators split difference on Commerce temporary-salary and development-fund authority
Summary
Committee members compromised to reduce Commerce temporary-salary and development-fund special authority by half (from $103,590 to $50,000 and $200,000 to $100,000), treat temporary salary funding as one-time, and to retain a separate federal grant line of $98,583 for building-code staffing.
Appropriations committee members negotiated a compromise on temporary salary lines and special fund authority for the Department of Commerce.
Commerce staff explained the $200,000 line sat in the agency’s special fund authority for the Development Fund and was intended as a buffer to avoid future special‑fund deficiencies resulting from the new-and-vacant FTE pool mechanics. Agency director of administrative services Allison Widmer testified the special‑fund authority helps ensure the agency can hire interns or staff if spending authority is needed.
Members debated whether adding temporary salary authority would undercut the savings intent of the new-and-vacant FTE pool. After discussion, the committee agreed to reduce the $103,590 general‑fund temporary salaries line to $50,000, cut the $200,000 special‑fund development authority to $100,000, and to keep the $98,583 federal grant line (for building‑codes temporary staff) intact because it derives from an emergency-commission-authorized federal grant. Members also discussed treating the temporary-salaries amounts as one-time funding rather than ongoing additions to the base; the committee indicated that those temporary lines should be one-time.
Senator Dwyer argued against restoring full amounts withdrawn by the FTE pool, saying if savings were taken in the pool the committee should not immediately replenish them. Commerce staff warned the pool has constrained hiring and left agencies with less salary authority than needed. Committee staff said they would reflect the compromise reductions in the long sheet and next amendment draft.
