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Governor's Commission on Disability asks Senate Finance to retain part‑time ADA coordinator and other staff funded in governor's budget
Summary
The Governor's Commission on Disability requested the Senate Finance Committee preserve general-fund support for a newly funded part-time ADA coordinator and to note that loss of certain contracted funds would raise the commission's general-fund need.
The Governor's Commission on Disability asked the Senate Finance Committee to retain general-fund support for a part‑time ADA coordinator position approved in the governor’s budget and highlighted other funding details that affect its general-fund exposure.
Chuck Sayegh, executive director of the Commission, said the agency is organizationally housed in the governor’s office, has 14 governor-appointed commissioners and currently employs seven staff members with a planned eighth hire. He described the commission’s responsibilities, including ADA technical assistance, lease accessibility review through the Architecture Barrier Free Design Committee and co‑administration of New Hampshire’s ABLE savings plan with the state treasurer.
Why it matters: The GCD provides ADA guidance, an accessibility review for state leases and programs that help people with disabilities save without jeopardizing means‑tested benefits. Losing general-fund support for positions or contracted other funds could shift costs to the general fund or reduce services.
Key budget points presented
- Class 50 (part‑time) funding: The governor and House budgets include increases in class 50 line items made up of a mix of general and other funds. Sayegh said $36,000 and $37,000 in other funds are contractual obligations from the Department of Education to house a part‑time position that supports the Statewide Independent Living Council, beginning July 1, 2025.
- ADA coordinator position: The budget also includes $37,000 in FY26 and similar in FY27 for a new, unfunded-but‑approved ADA coordinator position. Sayegh said the position resulted from a workforce focus group recommendation and will act as a resource to state agencies via the GCD and Division of Personnel. The commission has recruited and unfreezed the position; he said a hire will start May 2.
- Federal and other funds: Sayegh noted the commission receives a mix of general, federal and contract funds; if other funds are lost, general‑fund obligations would rise by about $25,000 based on current contracts.
Quotes from the record
- “The mission of the GCD is to educate and to provide assistance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Chuck Sayegh, executive director, said.
What the commission asked the committee to consider
Sayegh respectfully asked the committee to consider restoring the commission’s general-fund amounts if the House’s final language would eliminate them. He emphasized the operational links between other‑fund contracts and the commission’s general-fund posture.
