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JFAC recommends Department of Fish and Game budget with reappropriation language
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee gave the Department of Fish and Game a due-pass recommendation on FY2026 enhancements that included mostly one-time projects and two pieces of reappropriation language requiring roll-call votes.
Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the Department of Fish and Game requested a package of FY2026 enhancements largely focused on one-time projects and operational needs. The committee gave the package a due-pass recommendation after roll-call votes.
The enhancement package included a mix of equipment, contract, renovation and operational requests. Jessup said roughly $16 million of the agency's requested enhancements were one-time in nature. Specific items referenced in committee remarks and the motion included funds for contract increases, regional office renovations (Region 7), hatchery improvements, remote connectivity, IT hardware and replacement items, and a lease for the McCall regional office.
Representative Manmuring moved the motion to add $10,217,400 from dedicated funds and $7,967,500 from federal funds, a total of $18,184,900 for FY2026. The motion was seconded by Senator Hart. Committee discussion included a clarification that about $15.97 million of the package was one-time funding and that the department receives no general fund appropriations. Two pieces of reappropriation language accompanying the motion were presented and required separate roll-call votes: one to allow reappropriation for specific multi-year projects and a second addressing depredation funds that may carry into the next fiscal year. The committee adopted both pieces of language on roll-call votes.
Roll-call results announced in the hearing showed the motion carrying with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded a final tally for that motion of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused. The two reappropriation language items were each approved by roll call; transcript announcements recorded unanimous or near-unanimous support in the Senate and House panels present.
The action allows the Department of Fish and Game to proceed to the next stage of budget consideration with the committee's due-pass recommendation and with the two reappropriation provisions attached.
The committee proceeded to other agency hearings after completing the Fish and Game vote.
