Senate subcommittee reports FY26 Department of Law budget, moves reports out with no objections

The Senate Finance budget subcommittee on the Department of Law on Thursday reported out its fiscal year 2026 recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee, detailing funding levels, staffing and several budgetary adjustments.

Kelly Goode, staff to subcommittee Chair Olsen, told the panel the subcommittee recommends $82,130,000 in unrestricted general funds, $3,672,000 in designated general funds, $42,509,000 in other funds and $2,452,000 in federal funds, for a combined total of $130,000,765 for FY26. The recommendation sets permanent full-time positions at 602, with 29 temporary positions, for a total of 631 positions.

The subcommittee denied requested general fund increments, added two decrements and one designated fund increment to the governor’s amended budget, Goode said. The subcommittee also approved a $105,000 transfer in for a labor relations analyst from the Department of Administration, reduced the authority of the Tobacco Use Education Cessation Fund, and accepted interagency receipt authority for certain items.

Goode summarized additional actions: “The first 1 recommends the remaining balance of approximately $3,300,000 in the statehood defense fund be decremented in full in the Senate Finance Committee.” She said the subcommittee would remove a temporary $500,000 unrestricted general fund increment for statehood defense and would replace an expiring federal grant for “not specified” and violent-crimes prosecutions of $655,000 with designated general funds.

The subcommittee adopted an attached budget action report that incorporates the agency totals for the FY25 management plan and compares the governor’s amended FY26 budget to the subcommittee recommendation. The report also includes worded intent language asking the Department of Law to work with the Department of Corrections on housing for federal inmates and to explore alternative funding mechanisms or renewed federal participation.

Sen. Myers commented on the statehood defense decrements, saying, “I’m not thrilled at decrementing the, statehood defense, funds,” but added that in light of the state’s fiscal situation and a more favorable federal administration, he could accept the action at this time.

Sen. Clayman moved to approve the attached final budget action and wordage reports and directed the Legislative Finance Division to make any appropriate conforming or technical changes. There were no objections; Clayman’s motion was reported out.

The subcommittee concluded its meeting after reporting the items out to the full Senate Finance Committee.