JBC orders one-time transfer of expired funds and a 10% reduction for Peace Officers Mental Health grants

The Joint Budget Committee approved two actions affecting the Peace Officers Mental Health (POMH) grant program: a one-time transfer of $400,000 in expired appropriations to the General Fund and a staff-initiated 10% ongoing reduction in the program’s General Fund appropriation.

Andrea Ewell, JBC staff, said the $400,000 identified from a prior appropriation is expired and cannot be spent and that transferring it would not reduce services. She also recommended a 10% reduction equal to roughly $200,000 to help close the budget gap. "This $400,000 won't affect it because it's expired," Ewell said when asked about program impact.

Committee members expressed both practical and moral support for the program, noting it funds peer support, co-responder programs and services tailored to officers involved in traumatic incidents. Several members, including Representative Taggart and Senator Kirkmeyer, said they could not support cuts because of stigma and access barriers to treatment. Others, citing severe fiscal constraints, said a modest 10% cut was a painful but necessary step.

The motion to adopt the staff-initiated reduction passed on a 3–2 vote with Kirkmeyer and Taggart objecting. The committee also approved the one-time transfer on unanimous consent.

Staff flagged that larger cuts would require program restructuring and could reduce the number of recipients served. The committee’s actions will be reflected in the JBC’s recommendations to the long bill and any implementing legislation.