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JFAC splits on LSO bill‑drafter request but adopts language directing earlier budget submittal and a statewide review
Summary
The committee debated and failed to secure a Senate majority for adding one bill‑drafting FTE to the Legislative Services Office, while approving language asking the governor to transmit the 2027 budget earlier and requesting a statewide review and a new budget submission platform.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 24 considered two related Legislative Services Office items: a request to add one bill drafting position and a separate set of committee language changes aimed at improving the state budget submission and interagency billing practices. The committee approved the language but did not secure a Senate majority for the staffing increase.
LSO division manager Keith Bybee outlined the office’s request and accompanying language. The staffing motion would have added one full‑time bill drafting attorney and $129,000 in FY2026 program maintenance budget. Supporters argued the office is comparatively lean (LSO staff levels rank 45th nationally in an LSO chart presented) and that heavy bill drafting—more than 1,100 bills and numerous changes this session—has strained staff and created late‑night workloads. The motion was moved by a co‑chair and seconded, but did not win a Senate majority; the transcript records the Senate vote at 4 ayes and 6 nays while the House recorded 9 ayes and 1 nay, producing a combined tally of 13 ayes and 7 nays. Committee leadership said because the motion failed to secure a Senate majority, it will be transmitted to the full Senate for further consideration (procedural outcome recorded on the floor).
Separately, the committee adopted language asking the governor to submit the 2027 budget recommendation earlier (to December, rather than the first day of session), directing LSO to conduct a statewide review of interagency reimbursements and to explore development of a new statewide budget submission platform for greater transparency and accountability. Committee members discussed the language’s intent: to reduce late‑season workload on LSO staff and to capture reimbursable 10‑digit transactions between agencies. Senator Wintrow asked about technical exceptions; LSO staff replied there remains flexibility to correct and reconcile budget submissions after initial transmission.
The language motion passed on roll call with 19 ayes, 0 nays and 1 excused absence across the two committees and will carry a due‑pass recommendation. Committee co‑chairs said the language aims to give staff more lead time and to explore billing options for agency‑requested drafting work.
