JFAC approves program-maintenance budgets across state agencies; most motions unanimous

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17 advanced program-maintenance appropriations and accompanying statutory/administrative language for multiple state agencies and functional areas. Committee analysts presented comparative base-budget reports and recommended program-maintenance totals that incorporate the FY2026 base plus two statewide adjustments (contract inflation and cost-allocation), where applicable.

Analysts leading presentations included Mr. Bybee (overview and legislative/judicial branches), Frances Lippitt (general government), Brooke Dupree (economic development), Janet Jessup (natural resources, State Board of Education), Jared Tetrault (public schools), and Alex Williamson (Health and Human Services reorganization). Motions to set program-maintenance budgets and to include draft clear-language sections were made for each packet and received roll-call votes.

Most program-maintenance measures passed unanimously in combined roll calls (reported as 20 ayes, 0 nays) and carried “do pass” recommendations. Examples of unanimous committee action included:

- Legislative branch program maintenance: set at $12,546,100 (motion carried 20–0). - Judicial branch program maintenance: set at $96,696,300 (motion…