Committee places LUMA costs on budget for State Controller; moves project spending from continuous appropriation to general fund

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 12 approved a set of enhancements for the Office of the State Controller that bring LUMA project personnel and operating costs onto the annual budget.

Frances Lippitt and analysts explained that the LUMA project had been financed through a continuously appropriated account that expires at the end of the fiscal year. The committee's action moves those personnel and costs onto the fiscal 2026 appropriation so they are reflected in the standard budget process rather than in an ongoing continuous account.

Enhancement requests approved include seven FTE and $2,171,200 for LUMA personnel costs, $5,500,000 for LUMA operating costs, $6,800,000 for computer center charges related to LUMA, two FTE and $230,300 for financial specialists in the shared services bureau, one FTE and $126,300 for a communications manager for public transparency efforts, and a $415,200 level‑of‑effort transfer to align leadership fund allocations.

Committee members noted this change does not represent net new spending; the controller's office previously operated the project off continuous appropriations and the fiscal impact is a reclassification that increases on‑budget transparency. The committee approved the motion by roll call and attached language authorizing certain accounting transfers and confirming conditions and limitations on appropriations.

Representative Petzke moved the language items and the joint committee approved the package by recorded votes that produced a due‑pass recommendation.