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JFAC shifts $291.7 million from Commerce program into new broadband office for transparency
Summary
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee unanimously approved two technical corrections moving $291,737,000 in reappropriated funds out of the Department of Commerce’s commerce program and into the broadband office so the monies can be tracked separately.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17 voted unanimously to move $291,737,000 in reappropriated funds out of the Department of Commerce’s commerce program and into the agency’s broadband office so the dollars can be tracked separately.
Legislative staff told the committee the transfer corrects an accounting issue created last year, when the legislature added the broadband office to the Department of Commerce after reappropriations had already been set. Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, said the reappropriations were originally placed in the commerce program and need to be moved into the broadband office for transparency and tracking.
Representative Elaine Handy moved the initial motion to reduce the commerce program by $291,737,000 from reappropriated funds; Senator Cook seconded. The committee then approved a follow-up motion — also moved by Handy and seconded by Cook — to add the same $291,737,000 in reappropriated funds to the broadband office. Both motions passed on roll call votes: 20 ayes, 0 nays in combined Senate and House voting.
Committee staff noted the two steps net to zero in the overall budget tables but are needed to ensure the broadband office’s revenues and expenditures appear in the correct accounting lines going forward. Jessup said the change preserves the original appropriation amount while moving the funds into the new program structure.
The committee carried the motions with a “do pass” recommendation. The corrections will be reflected in the fiscal year 2025 appropriation records and in the legislative budget book.
Votes at a glance: Representative Handy’s reduction motion and subsequent addition motion (each $291,737,000) — carried unanimously, 20–0.
Ending: The committee described both steps as technical corrections rather than policy decisions; staff and members said the moves will improve transparency for broadband spending without changing total funding levels.
