JFAC approves technical corrections, reappropriations and program-maintenance budgets; broadband reappropriation moved to Broadband Office

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17 approved a package of technical corrections, reappropriations and program-maintenance budgets that together set baseline spending for multiple state agencies for fiscal 2026.

The most prominent single reallocation moved $291,737,000 of reappropriated funds from the Department of Commerce’s Commerce program into the Broadband Office so broadband grant activity can be tracked separately. "This action would remove the monies that were reappropriated to the commerce, commerce program, and then also add them back into the broadband office so they can be tracked for transparency moving forward," said Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services Office.

Why it matters: the committee’s votes create the base appropriations that staff will use when drafting the substantive budget bills later in the session. Several of the votes are corrections to where the legislature intends previously authorized one-time or reappropriated funds to sit; others set maintenance levels for entire functional areas such as natural resources, public safety and public schools.

Votes at a glance

- Broadband office reappropriation (Commerce → Broadband Office): Two motions to (a) remove $291,737,000 from the Department of Commerce Commerce program and (b) add $291,737,000 to the Broadband Office so broadband grants are tracked separately. Mover (removal): Representative Handy; second: Senator Cook (second on addition also by Sen. Cook). Vote: unanimous (20 ayes, 0 nays). Outcome: passed; will carry a due-pass recommendation.

- Department of Environmental Quality correction: Transfer of $2,000,000 from the general fund to DEQ (water quality program) to correct an appropriation that was recorded as a reduction rather than a transfer. Mover: Senator Woodward; second: Representative Manwaring. Vote: unanimous (20–0). Outcome: passed; will carry a due-pass recommendation.

- Department of Health and Welfare expenditure-category adjustments (two actions): (1) Substance abuse treatment and prevention program: move $160,000 from trustee & benefit payments to operating expenditures; (2) Physical health services program: reduction of $240,000 from the central tumor registry fund for operating expenditures. Mover: Representative Price; second on the first was Senator Bierke. Votes on both: unanimous (20–0). Outcome: passed; due-pass recommendations.

- Program-maintenance budgets (examples): The committee approved program-maintenance appropriations (base + statewide decisions such as statewide cost allocation and any acted contract inflation) for a broad set of functional areas and agencies. All motions below were passed by roll call votes, generally unanimous; totals reported in the transcript are recorded beside each item. - Legislative branch program maintenance: total program maintenance $12,546,100 (motion passed, 20–0). - Judicial branch program maintenance: total program maintenance $96,696,300 (motion passed, 20–0). - Statewide constitutional officers: total program maintenance $73,630,300 (motion passed, 20–0). - Public safety functional area: total program maintenance $528,074,000 (motion passed, 20–0). - General government functional area: total program maintenance $479,688,000 (motion passed, 20–0). - Economic development functional area: total program maintenance $1,380,135,600 (motion passed, 20–0). - Natural resources functional area: total program maintenance $513,855,000 (motion passed, 20–0). - State Board of Education and related campuses: total program maintenance $1,099,940,000 (motion passed, 20–0). - Public school support program maintenance: total program maintenance $3,166,965,700 (motion passed, 20–0).

Many of the motions also included standard appropriation language: exemptions from expense-class or program transfer limitations for specific agencies, reappropriation authority for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or other one‑time funds, and reporting / accountability requirements for specific programs.

Committee procedure and next steps

Committee staff noted that several decisions still remain to be set — specifically any final changes related to CEC (cost‑of‑employment adjustments) and health insurance calculations. The chair said those items will be handled later, either by a multi-agency bill or separate technical-corrections motions once the committee reaches consensus.

A copy of the bills and appropriation language approved today will be drafted and returned to the committee for a brief review before introduction.

Ending

Most votes on Jan. 17 were unanimous; the committee recessed for the weekend and scheduled additional review and drafting work before next action on introduced bills.