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JFAC approves $1.27 million in dedicated funds for DOPL inspector pay, fleet and IT; adds reporting language
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $1,268,900 in dedicated funds for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for inspector pay increases, vehicle replacement and IT hardware, and accepted additional reporting language aligning fund-balance reporting with recently passed policy.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to add $1,268,900 in dedicated funds for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) for fiscal year 2026, approving targeted pay increases for inspector positions, replacement of fleet vehicles and IT hardware upgrades. The committee also accepted language that aligns DOPL’s reporting requirements with recently enacted policy and raises the cap that triggers corrective action plans.
Kellen McGurkin, budget analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee DOPL oversees more than 200,000 licensees through 45 boards and commissions and is funded entirely through dedicated fee revenues. The package approved by JFAC includes three components: $222,000 ongoing dedicated funds to increase inspector pay (an average of $0.95 per hour across 92 full-time positions), $900,500 one-time dedicated funds to replace vehicles in the fleet, and $146,400 one-time dedicated funds for Office of Information Technology–recommended hardware and conference-room equipment.
McGurkin said the division reported high inspector turnover (an average of 26 vacancies with a high of 62%) and an FY2025 exit interview that identified pay as a primary reason for turnover. The vehicle request would replace 23 vehicles, including 16 Ford F-150s and multiple other models used primarily by building construction and real-estate inspectors who travel statewide. The IT request covers conference-room audio/video equipment at two locations, 76 standard laptops (about 27% of DOPL’s 280 laptops), docking stations, routers, switches and wireless access points.
Representative Furness moved the motion to add $1,268,900 from dedicated funds for DOPL; Senator Quick seconded. The committee recorded a majority vote in favor and will forward the appropriation with a do-pass recommendation. The committee also accepted, by unanimous consent, language that aligns DOPL’s appropriation reporting requirements to policy bill 152 and raises the fund-balance corrective-plan trigger from 25% to 50%, and adds a quarterly reporting requirement on expenses and revenues for each of the 45 boards and commissions.
The committee’s recorded totals were: Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House 7 ayes, 3 nays; grand total 16 ayes, 4 nays. Committee staff indicated the reporting language mirrors recently passed legislation and follows a Legislative Audits Division recommendation.
