Legislative branch budget rises about $2.1 million for FY26; pay act and benefit rate changes drive most of the increase

Scott Moore, legislative finance manager for the Joint Fiscal Office, presented the legislative branch FY2026 budget to the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 14, 2025, recommending a total appropriation that initially totaled $24,544,703 for FY26, up from $22,427,405 in FY25.

Moore said the bulk of the increase was tied to recent compensation changes, noting that “approximately 90% of the overall budget growth is associated with the most recent pay act, corresponding benefits, [and] an increased increase in legislator expense reimbursement rates.” He told the committee the recommended budget includes no new permanent positions compared with the prior year.

The recommendation breaks down across the branch’s five business units: the legislature (which includes HR, legislative operations, the clerk of the house and speaker support) increased…