Emergency management warns of federal grant timing and asks for matching funds, details on $2M for local emergency services
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Summary
GEMA told the committee federal changes to EMPG period-of-performance and recent federal funding reductions leave the state exposed; GEMA requested restoring match funding and sought committee guidance before allocating a $2 million emergency-services line to local fire stations.
Greg Koehler, presenting GEMA’s FY27 budget on behalf of Director Lamb, warned the appropriations committee that recent federal changes to the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program and an uncertain federal budget timeline could force states to spend multiple federal fiscal-year awards in a single state fiscal year.
Koehler said the FY25 EMPG reverted to a one-year period of performance after litigation and that GEMA expects the FY26 notification of funding opportunity could likewise shorten performance, which complicates state match planning. He recommended a reinstatement of federal-match funding that would stabilize preparedness planning.
The agency also sought committee direction on a $2 million increase labeled for "emergency services" and said it currently lacks specificity on recipient sites or local shortfalls. Koehler said GEMA is trying to collect locality-level data and will provide details if available before the committee finalizes recommendations. He recommended a base-budget approach to cover known recurring shortfalls (citing a roughly $1 million gap created by federal reductions).
Committee members asked for specific recipients for the $2 million line before approving the funding and for documentation showing how the additional match would be used to satisfy federal requirements.
The hearing closed with the chair asking agencies to supply requested details ahead of the committee's imminent recommendations.