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Attorney general's budget draws scrutiny over $5.8M projected lapse; senators urge oversight and consider structural reforms
Summary
OFB reported a projected May‑based lapse of about $5.8 million for the Office of the Attorney General; senators pressed whether lapses reflected allotment timing or administrative withholding and urged stronger oversight and possible structural change to the AG office.
OFB presented the Office of the Attorney General's FY2026 budget figures and a projected lapse based on the May CRER report. OFB reported prior-year audit and lapse figures and said the May projection for lapses was approximately $5,870,950.
Senators pressed whether those lapses were cumulative or solely for FY2026. OFB said the May CRER projection reflects spending through May extrapolated to the fiscal year end and that prior-year audits reported varying surpluses and lapses: FY2022 surplus $2,463,816; FY2023 surplus $323,567; FY2024 audit showed $4,063,000; FY2025 projected CRER balance $5,882,007.80.
Several senators argued the AG office has experienced difficulties receiving timely allotments and paying contracted attorneys. One senator said the lapses reflect funds that the AG cannot access because BBMR/DOA have not provided allotments in a timely way; "They intentionally are trying to sabotage the attorney general's office," the senator said, arguing the shortfall hurts public safety by limiting the AG's ability to retain counsel.
Senator Parkinson delivered an extended critique of the AG office's structure, arguing consolidated prosecutorial and legal‑advice functions in one elected office creates conflicts of interest and weakens oversight. "Our system allows us to have an office of an attorney general and an office of a public prosecutor. Many jurisdictions separate these duties," he said, and urged the legislature to consider separating prosecution from the AG office in future legislation.
OFB and other senators said lapse projections are based on spending trends and that final year‑end figures depend on later months' expenditures and procurement processing. Several senators urged closer oversight of allotments and procurement processing so key agencies can spend authorized resources in a timely fashion.
The committee closed the chapter after discussion and moved to subsequent budget items.
