Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Precharge Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Appropriations panel reviews creating attorney general position to run statewide precharge program
Summary
The House Appropriations Committee reviewed language to establish a position in the attorney general’s office to develop and administer a statewide precharge program created in Act 180 of 2024. No funding is requested for fiscal 2025; the office expects roughly $120,000 in fiscal 2026.
The House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 reviewed draft language that would establish a position in the Office of the Attorney General to develop and administer the statewide precharge program created by Act 180 of 2024. The proposal includes no funding in fiscal 2025 and estimates roughly $120,000 for the position in fiscal 2026.
Joint Fiscal Office analyst Grady Nixon told the committee the highlighted text in the packet would add the position to the governor’s recommended budget adjustment act and noted the attorney general’s office has not yet provided a formal title for the role. “This is the establishment of a position in fiscal year 2025 to develop and administer a statewide precharge program that was established in act, 180 of 2024,” Nixon said. He added there is no FY25 funding request and that the roughly $120,000 request is expected for FY26.
Committee members pressed for clarity about where the position fell in earlier budget drafts. One member said a position had been discussed in the House version last year but was removed from the final budget; staff answered that the position was not in the final budget and that some preliminary work has been done with existing staff resources. Nixon said he will contact the attorney general’s office to obtain the correct position title and that the language also needs sign-off from the Agency of Human Services (AHS).
Why it matters: creating the position would put a dedicated staffer in place before the next fiscal year, shortening the lag between enactment and program startup. Committee members noted that establishing the position in the budget adjustment packet can help ensure the person is in place by July if funding follows in the governor’s budget or subsequent appropriations.
Next steps: Nixon told the panel more language packets are expected; the committee awaits the attorney general’s office for the formal title and AHS sign-off before finalizing this language.
