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JBC approves transfer of restricted peace-officer behavioral health funds to General Fund
Summary
The Joint Budget Committee approved staff’s recommendation to transfer restricted funds from the Peace Officers Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnerships cash fund to the General Fund and authorized staff to place the transfer in the appropriate bill. The committee voted 6–0.
The Joint Budget Committee on Feb. 1 approved a staff recommendation to transfer restricted funds from the Peace Officers Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnerships cash fund into the General Fund as part of fiscal 2024–25 budget balancing.
JBC staff Andrea Ewell told the committee the fund was created by a 2017 law and had since been expanded by subsequent bills. The department recently determined roughly $3.07 million in restricted cash remained in the fund because of changes in how the fund was appropriated and roll‑forward rules; staff recommended transferring that balance to the General Fund and asked the committee to authorize staff to decide in which omnibus bill the transfer should be included.
Committee members asked whether the program might be better administered by the Behavioral Health Administration instead of the Department of Local Affairs; staff said they would explore that option ahead of figure setting. Representative Serota moved the staff recommendation and permission for staff to negotiate the bill placement; the motion carried on a vote of 6 to 0.
Why it matters: JBC staff said demand for the program has exceeded appropriations since fiscal 2021–22, so the department did not propose cutting the grant program despite the transfer. The committee’s action removes a statutory restriction on the identified funds and creates budget flexibility for the 2024–25 balancing work.
What the committee directed: staff were authorized to place the transfer in an omnibus cash‑fund transfer bill if appropriate and to negotiate technical bill language and placement.
