Votes at a glance: JFAC approves multiple supplemental appropriations, FY2026 enhancements; ombudsman funding fails in the House

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 14 considered and voted on a sequence of supplemental appropriations, replacements, and fiscal-year 2026 enhancement requests across multiple state agencies. Most motions carried a due-pass recommendation to the Legislature; one motion to fund a new ombudsman office did not pass the House and failed.

Key votes and outcomes (motions are summarized exactly as recorded in the committee packet or on the floor):

- Hazardous-substance response deficiency warrant (Military Division): motion to appropriate and transfer $34,200 one-time from the general fund to the Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Fund for FY2025. Moved by Senator Ward Engelking; second by Representative Petzke. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent. Outcome: approved; due-pass recommendation.

- Public safety communications supplemental (Military Division): one-time appropriation of $540,001 from the general fund to support public safety communication system installation and build-out. Moved by Senator Ward Engelking; second by Representative Handy. Vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent. Outcome: approved; due-pass recommendation.

- IT infrastructure upgrade (Military Division): one-time appropriation of $759,200 from the general fund to upgrade IT infrastructure and create an independent network for public safety communications. Moved by Representative Petzke; second by Senator Ward Engelking. Vote: 19 ayes, 1 nay. Outcome: approved; due-pass recommendation.

- FY2026 Military Division enhancements (network administrator, replacement items, hazmat regional teams and other adjustments): motion to add $66,200 from the general fund, $9,190,200 from dedicated funds, and reduce $139,300 from federal funds for a net increase of $9,117,100. Moved by…