JFAC approves series of supplemental and FY2026 budget requests including $8.6 million hazmat transfer; one ombudsman request fails in House

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 14 approved a package of supplemental and FY2026 budget requests across multiple state agencies, including a $8,600,000 transfer from the continuously appropriated State Emergency Relief Fund to support hazardous-materials regional response teams housed at local fire departments.

Why it matters: The committee’s actions provide near-term funding for emergency response, public-safety communications and other agency needs ahead of the next fiscal year and set intent language for several programs. The single funding request that failed in the House was for a new Office of Health and Human Services ombudsman salary increase; that motion will be taken up again at a later date.

Most prominent outcomes

- Hazardous-materials regional response: JFAC approved a one-time transfer of $8,600,000 from the continuously appropriated State Emergency Relief Fund to the Department of Military’s miscellaneous revenue fund to purchase new equipment for regional hazmat teams. Representative Petzke moved the transfer; Senator Ward Engelking seconded. The motion passed with a Senate vote of 9–1 and a House vote that produced a total of 19 ayes, 1 nay, 0 absent/excused.

- Military/public-safety communications: The committee approved a $540,001 supplemental appropriation from the general fund to allow the Military Division to contract for installation of public-safety communications systems and to build four installation bays, and a separate $759,200 one-time general fund appropriation to upgrade the division’s IT infrastructure and licensing for an independent public-safety network. Both motions passed (540,001: unanimous; 759,200: combined vote summary 19–1 total).

- Smaller supplement and replacement items: JFAC approved a $34,200 one-time reimbursement to the Hazardous…