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Committee holds Commission on Decolonization to status quo budget as senators urge stepped-up public education
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Summary
The Committee of the Whole kept the Commission on Decolonization’s FY‑26 operating level largely unchanged but acknowledged rising public interest and several senators urged future increases for education and outreach. OFB reported lapses and line-item allocations for task forces and public information work.
The Committee of the Whole heard testimony and commentary on the Commission on Decolonization during Chapter 5 budget hearings and left the agency’s FY‑26 appropriation essentially at the current level.
Office of Finance and Budget Director Steve Guerrero told senators the commission’s total general‑fund appropriation for fiscal 2026 is $317,488. The budget also includes a $165,000 line to support an incentive public education and information program and a $55,000 allocation “to each task force” for FY‑26 (statehood, free association and independence task forces), Guerrero said.
The status‑quo decision came as senators pressed for follow‑up and wider public outreach. Senator Chris Parkinson, who said he had read the commission’s study volume Guia Moana “from cover to cover,” urged colleagues to increase future funding for public education so residents can make informed choices about political‑status options. “While this year I definitely agree with keeping a status quo budget for the Commission on Decolonization, I think as public interest begins to ramp up in our community … in future budgets … we should consider upping the distributed amount,” Parkinson said.
Guerrero described FY‑24 financial activity for the commission, citing the government’s financial reports: a lapsing balance of $146,843 as of Sept. 30, 2024, and spending in FY‑24 of about $170,000 on commission activities. Senators asked for more detail on the commission’s contractual services line; Guerrero said the FY‑26 digest lists $32,000 budgets for each task force (free association, statehood, independent), which together total roughly $96,000.
Senator Borja asked whether the $32,000 contractual line covered consultants, outreach, or other specific services; Guerrero said the digest specified task‑force support but did not provide a further breakdown during the hearing. Parkinson and other senators emphasized the commission’s role in informing voters about the three decolonization options — statehood, free association and independence — and urged the Legislature to consider larger future investments in education and community engagement.
No formal vote was taken during the hearing; senators were advised they may file up to four amendments for Section 5 (the executive budget) while the panel is seated.
The committee concluded the commission’s section and moved on to other agencies; several senators said they will continue to press for additional education funding in subsequent budget deliberations.
