Votes at a glance: JFAC takes action on multiple agency budgets; one new ombudsman appropriation fails in the House

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee considered and voted on a slate of supplemental requests and FY2026 budget items for state agencies. Most motions carried due‑pass recommendations; one new appropriation for the Office of Health and Human Services Ombudsman failed to secure a House majority and will be revisited.

Key actions (motions moved, seconded and recorded on the committee floor):

- Hazardous materials reimbursement (Military Division): approved, $34,200 transfer from the general fund to the hazardous substance emergency response fund (mover: Senator Ward Engelking; second: Representative Petzke; vote: 20‑0).

- Military Division public‑safety communications support: approved, $540,001 one‑time from the general fund (mover: Senator Ward Engelking; second: Representative Handy; vote: 20‑0).

- Military Division IT infrastructure upgrade: approved, $759,200 one‑time (mover: Representative Petzke; second: Senator Ward Engelking; vote: 19‑1).

- FY2026 Military Division enhancements and $8.6M transfer for hazmat regional response: approved (mover: Representative Petzke; second: Senator Ward Engelking; vote: 19‑1); separate one‑time transfer of $8.6M from the state emergency relief fund to the Military Division’s miscellaneous revenue fund was approved (19‑1).

- Veterans Services FY2026 requests: approved. The motion added modest general fund and dedicated fund changes and included reappropriation authority for federal construction grants for veterans homes; motion carried 19 ayes, 1 nay and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

- Department of Agriculture supplemental and FY2026 enhancements: approved. Included a $1,724,300 one‑time transfer to the pest control deficiency fund and multiple enhancements for investigator pay and replacement items; vote totals carried and committee recommended due‑pass.

- Department of Finance: approved 5 new full‑time equivalents and $765,800 from dedicated funds to add examiners and a forensic accounting specialist; motion passed and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

- Department of Insurance: approved 2 FTP and $533,400 from dedicated funds for a staff actuary, regulatory compliance specialist, pay increase for the State Fire Marshal program and replacement items; motion carried and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

- State Board of Education, Special Programs: approved enhancements including the rural educator incentive program ($1,375,000 ongoing) and other small program changes; motion carried 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent and excused in combined roll calls.

- Health Education Programs: approved funding for multiple residency programs and added two FTP for medical education, totaling $954,500 from the general fund; motion carried 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent and excused.

- State Independent Living Council: approved a fund shift moving $11,600 of appropriations from dedicated funds to the general fund for health benefits and Career Education Compensation (CEC) adjustments; motion carried with the committee’s recorded votes.

- Office of Health and Human Services Ombudsman: Representative Wintrow moved a $50,000 general fund increase for an ombudsman salary package; the motion passed in the Senate portion but failed to receive a House majority. The committee recorded a final tally of 13 ayes, 4 nays, 3 absent/excused (the House majority did not support it), so the motion failed and the item will be taken up later.

Several motions included clear intent language that conditions appropriations on reporting or other requirements; where members raised conflicts or concerns those declarations were entered into the record. The committee clerk called roll for each motion and the motions will carry due‑pass recommendations to the full legislature where approved.