Committee approves legislative appropriations bill after questions on reappropriated funds

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 5‑2 to pass House Bill 13‑33 as amended (L001), a bill that adjusts legislative branch appropriations for the coming fiscal year.

Senator Kirk Meyer questioned the bill's fiscal note and specifically asked where approximately $1.8 million in reappropriated funds originate. Director Natalie Castle of Legislative Council Staff told the committee that about $1.7 million of the reappropriated funds are for the Office of the State Auditor to pay third‑party contracted audits and about $141,000 cover print‑shop contracts managed by Legislative Council Staff: "There are two places in the budget that have reappropriated funds. Most of it, I think it's about $1,700,000, is in the office of the state auditor for contract audits... The other $141,000 is in legislative council staff with a print shop," she said.

Committee members also reviewed the net changes in appropriations; Castle said the total appropriation for FY 2026‑27 (including L001) increased by about $2,000,000, with roughly 60% of that increase for health, life and dental, another portion for a step‑like pay increase, and the remainder for adjustments tied to prior year legislation. Amendment L001 adjusted the appropriation (including a roughly $674,000 modification) and was adopted without objection.

After adoption of the amendment, the committee approved the bill 5‑2. The committee did not place this bill on the consent calendar.