JBC approves drafting transfer bill to reclaim refinanced ARPA funds, excluding Burnham Yards cleanup

JBC staff told the committee they had identified roughly $1.1 billion in ARPA‑originated funds where spending authority had expired or where federal rules allow reallocation; the objective is to move unspent/refinanced ARPA amounts back to the general fund for one‑time budget balancing.

Amanda Bickel (JBC staff) described a table of recommended transfers and statutory clarifications that would allow the legislature to capture reverted or unspent refinanced ARPA dollars in the current fiscal year. Staff recommended transfer timing of June 30, 2026 so that the amounts would show up as FY 25‑26 transfers in the accounting.

Committee members debated whether to sweep the Governor’s discretionary ARPA account and whether to include one contested item—the $9.9 million earmarked for Burnham Yards cleanup. After discussion about encumbrances, project status and the enterprise loan structure tied to the site, members voted to draft the transfer bill but to exclude the Burnham Yards funds from the package. Committee also asked staff to explore language that would preserve recovery to the general fund if property sale proceeds materialize in the future.

The committee approved drafting authority for the transfer bill (excluding Burnham Yards) and accepted staff recommendations for related statutory adjustments; the motion passed 6-0.