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Joint finance panel debates firefighting money for Department of Lands; mixed votes on supplemental and larger FY2027 package
Summary
The Joint Finance Committee rejected a one‑time $125,000 supplemental intended to restore cuts to forest and range fire protection but approved a broader FY2027 enhancement package for the Department of Lands that reprioritized personnel and equipment funding. Lawmakers disputed how prior firefighter bonus dollars were distributed.
The Joint Finance Committee considered multiple budget requests from the Department of Lands, including a contested FY2026 supplemental and a larger FY2027 enhancement package.
Analyst Janet Jessup presented the first request: a one‑time FY2026 add‑back of $125,000 to the forest and range fire protection program intended to offset prior reductions and help stand up firefighters for the 2026 fire season. Representative Miller moved the supplemental; Representative Petzke objected and said the Department of Lands previously received $1.25 million that she expected to benefit firefighters but that much of that money was paid to office and administrative staff rather than seasonal firefighters. “Only about a quarter of the awards...went to…
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