Senate panel approves short-term ARPA reappropriation for hospitals, infrastructure and grants

Senate appropriators approved a time-limited reappropriation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that restores spending authority for a range of projects and programs through Oct. 15, 2026.

The committee reported that reappropriations include funds — for the July 1 to Oct. 15 window — to the Department of Employment Security, DEEQ, DFA tourism accounts, independent colleges and universities grants, public health operational expenditures and innovation grants, rural water infrastructure grants, nursing-building support at UMMC, behavioral and mental health operational funding, National Guard projects, DPS eligible projects, and Department of Transportation surface-transportation maintenance projects. Sponsors emphasized that agencies must certify compliance with U.S. Treasury rules and that section language prohibits use of these reappropriated funds for employee premium payments.

Nut graph: The reappropriation is a short-term measure to allow recipients to access ARPA funds during a limited window while the Legislature finalizes longer-term budget arrangements; the committee included certification and compliance language to align with federal guidance.

Details: The committee listed dollar amounts for many recipients (transcript figures read aloud) and noted that agencies must certify that expenditures comply with Treasury rules. The bill sets an effective date of July 1, 2026 for this limited authority and directs the state treasurer to issue warrants upon requisition once agencies meet certification requirements.

What’s next: The measure advances for floor consideration and agencies will be required to demonstrate Treasury-rule compliance before warrants are issued. The committee noted the short sunset window created to allow for adjustments following the September 30 cut-off and the subsequent two-week period for agencies to restore funds while reconciliation proceeds.