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JFAC approves DEQ budget actions including Triumph mine remediation and ARPA grants
Summary
JFAC approved targeted pay to address turnover, transfers and remediation funding for the Triumph mine, ARPA infrastructure reimbursements of $73.8M, and language including re‑appropriation and reporting conditions for the Department of Environmental Quality.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 20 approved a package of budget enhancements and related language for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), including funding for remediation projects, ARPA reimbursements and targeted pay adjustments.
Budget analyst Janet Jessup presented DEQ’s requests. Approved items included targeted pay to reduce turnover among permitting staff ($592,800), a $1.5 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the Environmental Remediation Fund to support Superfund cleanup projects, $1,030,000 for remediation at the Triumph mine site, and $73,813,500 in ARPA state fiscal recovery funds to reimburse infrastructure grantees (the committee noted a schedule change in the agency’s ARPA allocations). The motion also included a $10,000,000 general fund transfer to the Water Pollution Control Fund for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure grants. The combined motion as carried totaled $75,436,300 across general, dedicated and federal funds, per the analyst’s summary.
Senator Woodward highlighted concerns about turnaround times for permits and the need to retain experienced staff; targeted pay was described as a tool to reduce delays and keep supervisors and permit riders from moving to higher‑paying private industry.
On roll call the combined committees recorded a total of 16 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent/excused and the motion passed and will carry a due‑pass recommendation. Committee members also adopted language that re‑appropriates ARPA capital project funds for library telehealth facilities and additional DEQ language setting conditions, limits and reporting requirements for the appropriations; those language motions passed on subsequent roll calls, generally with strong majorities.
