Senate Finance subcommittee advances FY27 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs budget

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ FY27 operating budget, a numbers-only package totaling $69,747,800, was advanced from the Senate Finance subcommittee to the full Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday following the subcommittee’s recommendation and an absence of objections.

Jamie Jones, staff to Sen. Merrick, presented the subcommittee’s FY27 narrative and recommendations, reporting that "the numbers only budget is 18,554,000...for a total of $69,747,800." Jones said the package includes $18,554,400 in unrestricted general funds, $1,100 in designated general funds, $14,812,500 in other funds and $36,379,800 in federal funds. The subcommittee recommended 283 permanent full-time positions and three temporary positions.

Sen. Tobin moved to advance the FY27 operating budget for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs from subcommittee with attached legislative financial reports, the operating budget action report and the wordage report, and to direct the Legislative Finance Division to make any appropriate conforming or technical changes. Sen. Merrick asked for objections and, hearing none, announced the report would move to the full Senate Finance Committee.

The subcommittee accepted all items requested, held two meetings on the department’s budget, and recorded that no member amendments were submitted for consideration. The meeting concluded and the subcommittee adjourned at 1:33 p.m. The budget package will next be considered by the full Senate Finance Committee.