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Senator urges immediate release of CQA reserves to cover personnel as agency projects large lapses
Summary
Senator Luhan said Customs and Quarantine (CQA) faces more than $9 million in lapses across FY24–25 and reported a director's request to release about $2 million from CQA reserves to cover personnel and operations; administration officials said they will process reserve-release modifications when submitted and noted recent approved expenditures for customs operations.
Senator Luhan told the Committee the director of Customs and Quarantine (CQA) had requested release of roughly $2 million from agency reserves to keep personnel and operations funded through the end of the fiscal year, and that CQA has projected more than $9 million in lapses across FY24 and FY25.
"If those reserves are released, the CQA's projected year end lapse will fall to approximately $220,300," Luhan said, citing figures supplied by the agency and urging prompt action. He said CQA had requested the release and that the funds would address immediate personnel and operational shortfalls.
Administration officials acknowledged the request and said they do not deny reserve-release requests. "When it comes to my desk, I will honor the request and I will release the reserves," an administration representative said, adding the modification should be submitted in writing and would be addressed in a timely manner.
Officials also explained that CQA holds both general fund appropriations and a customs inspection and quarantine special fee; the special fund is designed to remain available until expended and has given CQA flexibility. The administration said it had already approved two major customs expenditures: a move into the terminal to reduce rent and a renovation project at the port.
Senators said they were concerned about staffing losses to the federal workforce and urged ongoing collaboration between the administration, the Lieutenant Governor and the committee to secure the tools and resources CQA needs.
What's next: Luhan said the modification request was submitted and the administration said it would address the release promptly; committee members asked for follow-up on reserve release and remaining projected lapses.
