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Subcommittee approves accountable‑budget, line‑item measures and 2026 higher‑education base budget
Summary
The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted unanimously to include the interim accountable budget, adopt line‑item performance measures for the 2026 base, reviewed non‑lapsing balances, and approved the base budget and minutes before adjourning.
During routine business, the subcommittee approved several procedural and budget items that will be forwarded to Executive Appropriations and incorporated into the 2026 base budget.
After accepting the minutes from Aug. 19, 2025, Joseph presented the interim accountable budget process; Representative Walter moved to include the 2025 interim accountable budget in the 2026 higher‑education base and the motion passed unanimously. Joseph then reviewed line‑item performance measures (135 measures total, including 57 tied to performance funding) and recommended bifurcating two measures and retiring 11 at Utah State University; the subcommittee voted to include the proposed measures in the 2026 base budget.
Nate Talley, deputy commissioner and CFO, reported system non‑lapsing balances: institutions held about 6.7% of appropriated funds (~$200 million) and, after encumbrances and set‑asides, about $140 million remained. Talley noted 13.6% of balances were earmarked for program development and that current balances were roughly $20 million lower than preliminary last year’s report.
Joseph also summarized the base budget (ongoing funding categories, reallocation of strategic‑reinvestment funds back to institutions, and a statutory set‑aside for performance funding estimated at $16–17 million). Representative Walter moved to adopt the base budget as presented and the motion passed. The committee then moved and approved adjournment.
