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DEM seeks to hold FY26 spending steady; governor proposes ending paint stewardship program
Summary
The Department of Environmental Management presented a largely current‑services FY26 request and flagged two programmatic issues for the committee: continued capacity needs for forestry, parks and permitting, and a proposal in the governor’s budget to discontinue the state’s paint stewardship assessment and recycling program (PaintCare).
Director Terry Gray and senior DEM staff told the Senate Finance Committee the governor’s FY26 proposal is largely a current‑services budget that preserves recent staffing gains after three years of investment and voter‑backed green bonds.
Gray noted DEM has added 36 FTEs over the past three years and continues capital work at Galilee, Roger Wheeler State Beach and Burlingame Campground. DEM said roughly 28% of its budget is federal grants and the department is working to tighten grant management and billing to reduce exposure to federal funding changes.
Forestry, wildfire and parks: DEM highlighted recent investments in forestry and the department’s wildfire program, which currently has five FTEs. Staff said climate change, drought and rising wildfire risk require additional…
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