Committee approves $980,000 consumer-protection appropriation for Attorney General after clarifying wording

The joint committee adopted language increasing an Attorney General appropriation within the Consumer Protection Fund by about $980,000 (cited as roughly 3% of the rescission), and clarified the wording to avoid creating an indefinite continuous appropriation.

Janica Bisharat, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, explained the language would set aside funds in the Consumer Protection Fund so they could be used for the Attorney General's duties and activities and restore the roughly 3% the Attorney General requested while leaving a remaining 2% cut in place.

Several members questioned the use of the phrase "continuous appropriation," expressing concern that it implies ongoing, indefinite authority to spend the fund. Representative Pesky observed that money in the fund that is not appropriated now typically transfers to the general fund and said, "So this is effectively taking 1,000,000 dollars from the general fund." Keith Bybee, division manager for budget policy analysis, explained the committee could simply provide a two-year appropriation and that removing "continuous" would clarify intent.

The committee removed the continuous-appropriation language and adopted the cleaned-up text by roll-call (Senate 7 ayes, 3 nays; House 7 ayes, 3 nays). The motion carries a do-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: the change allows the attorney general to use capped Consumer Protection Fund money for personnel needs over a two-year window while clarifying that the appropriation is not indefinite.

What comes next: analysts will draft the revised wording in the bill text; the committee will carry the recommendation to the chambers.