Committee reopens Board of Accountancy budget and approves reduced supplemental for delayed licensure software

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee on Wednesday voted to reopen the Board of Accountancy's budget and approved a reduced supplemental request to cover fees for an existing licensure software system and a small equipment purchase.

Ms. Mindy Speck, speaking for the board, asked the committee to reconsider a supplemental request after learning the board would need ongoing support for its current licensure system because a planned replacement was delayed 18 months. She said the board's original supplemental request asked for roughly $36,332 but that she could justify a smaller amount needed to continue operations for FY2025: $22,522 to continue annual support for the old software and $1,525 to purchase computers because a lease expired. "The portion that is being requested refers to the IT software project that was delayed 18 months," Speck said. "$22,522 is required to cover the cost of the current software... For ongoing operations for fiscal year 2025, the minimum we would need to continue operations through the end of fiscal year 2025 is $24,047."

Committee members asked about the budget process and why the supplemental was not in the originally approved FY2025 budget. Staff explained that supplemental and enhancement requests are submitted to the governor; the governor can include them in her recommendation, and the Legislature then considers them. Committee staff said the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) had deleted supplementals and enhancements globally during its interim consideration; that global deletion is why this supplemental did not remain in the package the committee originally considered.

Representative Rogers asked whether the $22,522 invoice was an annual charge; Speck confirmed it is an annual fee. Representative Carlin and others questioned timing and whether the board had other internal funds; Speck said she had examined the board's budget and could not identify internal funds to cover the expense.

The committee first voted to reopen consideration of the Board of Accountancy budget, then voted to reconsider passage, and subsequently approved an amendment to add $24,047 to the board's FY2025 appropriation. The panel then voted to pass the amended budget out to the House Committee on Appropriations.

Votes at a glance: The committee voted by voice to reopen the Board of Accountancy budget (motion moved by Representative Carlin; seconded by Representative Curtis). Representative Roth later moved to reconsider passing the item; Representative Bloom seconded. Representative Roth then moved an amendment to add $24,047 to FY2025 (seconded by Representative Carlin); the committee approved the amendment and passed the amended budget out by voice vote.