Industrial Commission seeks continued IRIS support, staff and vehicle replacements in 2026 budget request

The Industrial Commission presented its fiscal 2026 budget request to the Joint Finance Preparation Committee on Jan. 23, asking for a mix of ongoing and one‑time funding to maintain the commission’s IRIS case‑management system, fund several staff positions using existing vacant FTE, and replace high‑mileage field vehicles.

The commission’s budget analyst, Noah Peterson of the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the Industrial Commission has 130.25 total FTPs, with 70.5 in the compensation program, 47.25 in rehabilitation and 12.5 in crime victims compensation; 12 positions were vacant as of August. Peterson said the agency is a dedicated‑fund entity (not supported by the general fund) and relies on four funds: the Industrial Administration Fund, the Peace Officer Temporary Disability Fund, the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and a miscellaneous revenue fund for seminars.

Peterson and Director George Gutierrez said the commission reverted $4,555,000 in FY2024; the largest amount, about $3 million, was trustee and benefit payments, of which roughly $2.4 million came from the crime victims compensation program. Personnel reversions were $644,000 and operating reversions about $835,000. Peterson said those reversion figures inform but do not automatically constrain how the Legislature chooses to fund vacancies or enhancements.

Why it matters: the IRIS modernization project was funded with significant one‑time appropriations beginning in FY2021 (Peterson said the commission received $12,874,000 in one‑time IRIS appropriations between FY2021 and FY2025).…