House Ways and Means committee finalizes FY2026 budget language, limits reprogramming for hiring and adds financial transparency provisions

The House Committee on Ways and Means on Thursday concluded deliberations on the proposed fiscal 2026 budget bill and approved multiple amendments clarifying reprogramming authority, strengthening financial reporting and reserving targeted funding for agency operations.

Committee members left in place a provision granting the executive branch broad reprogramming authority but inserted a condition that “reprogramming shall not be used for the hiring of new personnel or for the salary adjustment of active personnel,” language read into the record by legal counsel during the session. That restriction was adopted after discussion and a voice vote by the committee.

Committee leaders said the broader reprogramming authority is intended to let the executive move funds within the executive branch to meet pressing obligations, while the newly inserted hiring restriction preserves the House’s appropriation role. Vice Chair and other members repeatedly urged monthly and quarterly reporting so the legislature could monitor collections and possible shortfalls.

Why this matters: the changes balance administrative flexibility with legislative oversight. Members argued the added transparency and reporting language is intended to reduce surprise proportionate cuts and give each branch time to adjust spending or request supplemental appropriations.

Key outcomes and provisions

- Reprogramming and hiring: The committee retained language giving the executive branch authority to reprogram up to 100% of executive-branch appropriations but inserted the explicit limit that reprogramming cannot be used to hire new personnel or to…