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Attorney General's Office seeks $85,000 for home-improvement specialist after reported recoveries
Summary
The Attorney General's Office asked the Senate Judiciary committee to retain an $85,000 limited-term home-improvement specialist position included in the House budget, citing nearly $1.2–$2 million in recoveries and mediation outcomes tied to the role.
Todd D., an assistant attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary committee the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is largely aligned with the governor’s recommended budget but asked lawmakers to retain an $85,000 limited-term position focused on home-improvement complaints and mediation.
Todd described the position—created under Act 182—as a mediator/consumer-assistance role that has handled about 200 complaints since July 2023 and generated recoveries and resolutions the AGO estimates at roughly $1.2–$2 million for homeowners and contractors. He said the House included the $85,000 position in its budget and urged the committee to keep it.
The AGO also described broader budget composition: about half general fund, interdepartmental transfers for client agencies and a mix of positions including roughly 150 staff (about two-thirds attorneys). The office noted a modest request for continued maintenance of a case-management system and ongoing casework funding tied to state legal operations.
Why it matters: The requested position is narrowly targeted to consumer protection work stemming from home-improvement fraud and mediation. The AGO framed the position as cost-effective based on prior recoveries and as a complement to recently passed or pending statutory language dealing with contractor regulation.
Todd said the position’s modest cost could yield higher returns in recovered funds and dispute resolution and that the AGO is prepared to answer committee questions and provide county-by-county complaint breakdowns.
