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Office of Species Conservation reports federal grant timing and seeks small miscellaneous revenue increase
Summary
The Office of Species Conservation told the committee it received significant federal IIJA funds in 2023 that have not yet been fully expended and asked for a modest increase to its miscellaneous revenue appropriation to pursue non‑federal grants; administrator also discussed NEPA and sage‑grouse planning challenges.
The governor’s Office of Species Conservation (OSC) briefed the Joint Finance Corporation Committee on its federal funding, expenditures and a small miscellaneous revenue request to support non‑federal grants.
Janet Jessup, Legislative Services analyst, said OSC was allocated 16 full‑time positions and that, in 2025, the office expended about $1.5 million — roughly 14% of its appropriation — on personnel. Jessup told the committee the office received roughly $5 million in federal IIJA appropriations in fiscal 2023; because much of that funding is grant‑based and multi‑year, cash was available but spending lagged, producing reversion of unspent appropriation authority in some years.
“The agency has reported that… they have limited expenditures from the grant in fiscal year 23; it is anticipated to increase over the next couple of years,” Jessup said, describing typical federal grant timing and the federal fund inventory the agency maintains.
OSC administrator Edmondson said the office’s trustee and benefit payments are overwhelmingly federal funds and that the agency requested a $30,000 increase to its miscellaneous revenue fund to pursue grants and donations from non‑federal sources. She said the office had added a financial specialist last year to improve tracking of income and expenditures.
On policy matters, Edmondson described how changes in federal administrations can create uncertainty in processes such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and endangered species listings. She said sage‑grouse management plans and related NEPA records of decision can be particularly affected when a new administration revisits prior plans, leaving stakeholders uncertain about final rules and land‑use requirements.
Edmondson thanked Legislative Services staff and the committee for the fiscal specialist position and said the office would continue pursuing restoration and conservation work in coordination with federal and state partners.
Ending: The committee received the presentation; OSC requested the small miscellaneous revenue increase and no committee vote was taken during the session.
