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Committee clears changes to Department of Public Lands budget reporting; SD1 adopted in committee
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Summary
Senate Bill 24-18, which amends DPL budget submission provisions to clarify what revenues and other funds must be remitted and reported, passed the Fiscal Affairs Committee in SD1 after committee edits and an added requirement for quarterly reporting.
The Fiscal Affairs Committee on April 9 adopted Senate Bill 24-18 in committee as Senate Draft 1, approving technical changes and new reporting requirements for the Department of Public Lands (DPL).
The bill’s legal counsel, Joe Bermudez, presented a revised draft that removed references to line items the Supreme Court previously found unconstitutional and clarified what funds are part of DPL’s budget reporting. Bermudez said the draft borrows language proposed by MP< to require DPL to remit net revenues (excluding security deposits and certain non-revenue funds) to the appropriate account within a specified time frame. The SD1 added a 30-day quarterly reporting requirement so DPL must report expenditures and receipts within 30 days after each quarter.
Nut graf: The amendments are aimed at tightening DPL accounting and transparency by clarifying which funds constitute DPL revenue, preventing commingling, and requiring periodic financial reports so the Legislature can track lease proceeds, concession income and other land-related receipts.
Members discussed outstanding questions about funds that have historically resided in DPL accounts — including settlement money and other “holding accounts.” Senator Manglona asked whether settlement proceeds and other nonstandard funds should be explicitly captured; the chair and counsel said the committee will clarify language so that such receipts are tracked and remitted appropriately unless a different appropriation is made by the Legislature.
The measure includes a technical change altering references from “department” to “Department of Public Lands” and adds language directing funds (including concession and other land-related receipts) to be deposited and reported on a timetable to be specified in the SD1. The committee voted to adopt the SD1 and asked staff to prepare the bill for full Senate disposition.
Ending: Senate Bill 24-18 (SD1) passed committee and will be marked up for floor action; staff will finalize the draft to reflect the committee’s requested clarifications about other nonstandard funds and remittance timing.
