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Office of Species Conservation cites IIJA grants, requests modest increase in non-federal grant authority
Summary
The Office of Species Conservation told the committee it received a substantial federal appropriation through IIJA in 2023 and that most trustee and benefit payments in 2024 were federal pass‑throughs; it seeks a $30,000 increase in its miscellaneous revenue appropriation to pursue non‑federal grants.
Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, introduced the Office of Species Conservation’s budget presentation and said the office received a large federal appropriation in 2023 tied to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) grants that materially increased federal authority in that year.
The issue matters because the office administers planning and restoration efforts for species listed or considered under the federal Endangered Species Act; most of the office’s trustee and benefit payments in 2024 were federal funds passed through for habitat and species restoration projects.
Administrator Edmondson of the Office of Species Conservation told the committee that the office was allocated 16 full‑time positions and that trustee and benefit payments represented a large share of 2024 expenditures. Jessup said the office recorded a $5 million federal appropriation in 2023; those federal funds were not fully expended in that fiscal year because many projects roll across years and the agency reverts authority when grants are not yet spent.
The office asked for a $30,000 increase in the miscellaneous revenue fund appropriation to allow staff to accept and spend donations and non‑federal grants; that fund receives donations, settlements and non‑federal grants. Jessup noted the governor’s recommendation matched the agency’s request.
Edmondson emphasized that the agency now has a financial specialist position added last year and said the office is monitoring federal rule and policy changes that affect listings and habitat planning; in response to a question about federal processes she noted that NEPA reviews tied to federal actions “can often take 4 years.”
Committee members asked general questions but took no formal action during the presentation. Staff said additional federal and grant details are available in the committee packet and in the legislative budget book.
