JBC denies administration request to move marijuana tax cash funds to youth mental‑health core

Joint Budget Committee staff recommended and the committee adopted denial of a BA1 request to move $1.5 million from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund (MTCF) early‑literacy allocation into a youth mental‑health core in the lieutenant governor's office.

Andrew McLear (JBC staff) told the committee his initial read of statute suggested the reallocation might be permitted, but after consultation with legal services staff he recommended denial under current law (citing the relevant statutory constraints). He said the governor’s office had signaled the early literacy program had short‑term resources to cover the request but that making the change without new law would be inconsistent with current statute.

Vice Chair Bridges moved to adopt staff recommendation denying the BA1 reallocation; the motion passed 5–0 with Representative Taggart excused. Committee members expressed sympathy for the youth mental‑health effort but also concern about MTCF solvency and the statutory limit on diverting those cash funds without legislative change.

What happens next: the committee declined to change the statute today; legislators noted they could consider a statutory change later if they wished to make the transfer permanent through new law.