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JFAC approves technical corrections and program-maintenance budgets across state agencies; health-and-human-services realignment draws dissent
Summary
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17 approved a slate of technical corrections and program-maintenance budgets that reclassify reappropriated funds, fix appropriation sources and set FY 2026 maintenance levels for most state agencies, while deferring unresolved statewide decisions such as change-in-employee-compensation (CEC) and health insurance funding.
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee members on Friday, Jan. 17, approved technical corrections and program-maintenance budgets covering most state agencies for fiscal 2026 and fixed carryovers from the current year.
The committee unanimously approved routine technical corrections that reclassify reappropriated funds and correct appropriation sources, and it set program-maintenance budgets for the legislative branch, judicial branch, constitutional officers, public safety, general government, economic development, natural resources, state board of education, public schools and other functional areas. A department reorganization and an appropriation-unit realignment in the Department of Health and Welfare drew one House “no” vote during an earlier procedural motion and two “no” votes on the larger maintenance appropriation.
The session began with a correction to how broadband reappropriated funds are tracked, followed by a series of largely uncontested maintenance-budget votes. Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services Office, explained that last year’s reappropriation for broadband ended up in the Department of Commerce’s commerce program rather than the broadband office; the committee removed $291,737,000 from Commerce’s commerce program and added the same amount to the broadband office so the funds can be tracked in the correct program. Both broadband motions passed on roll call, 20 ayes, 0 nays.
The committee also approved a $2 million correction moving a transfer into the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) general fund so the agency’s appropriation reflects a transfer rather than a reduction in the general fund appropriation. Senator Woodward moved that motion; it passed unanimously on roll call (20–0).
Representative Price moved two small corrections in the Department of Health and Welfare: a $160,000 reclassification within the Substance Abuse…
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