Bill would exempt four DPS fee-supported funds from biennial sweeps to preserve operational cash

Representative Mike Steinmeier (District 20) introduced House Bill 26-94, a fund-management measure to exempt four dedicated, fee-supported funds from the state treasurer’s biennial sweep into General Revenue. Steinmeier said the change is intended to protect program continuity for training, forensic lab support and safety inspections and to reduce disruptive mid-cycle funding shortfalls.

Steinmeier identified the four affected funds: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund (training and academy operations), the State Forensic Laboratory account (which receives a $250,000 deposit tied to court fees), the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Fund (inspection and permitting) and the Elevator Safety Fund (elevator and amusement ride related operations). The sponsor said the intent is operational continuity, not a growth initiative, and added that predictable carry-forward balances reduce hiring and training churn.

Jalen Talbot of the Department of Public Safety testified in support, saying treasurer sweeps restrict the department’s ability to invest in long-term improvements. Angie Giddings, the DPS budget director, explained the treasurer’s sweep is a calculated percentage based on appropriations, spending and cash balance and that the sweep generally does not reduce funds to zero but does hamper multi-year purchases such as IT systems or equipment replacements. Committee members requested fund-balance data going back several years and discussed possible guardrails, caps or other safeguards to avoid large build-ups in dedicated accounts.

The committee closed the hearing after taking testimony and public questions; members signaled they would consider guardrail language and asked DPS to provide historical fund balances.