Committee staff outlines $25 million reserve and multiple fund transfers in appropriations update

The Appropriations Committee reviewed a packet of proposed FY27 language that includes contingent transfers and reserves intended to preserve flexibility for the General Assembly.

Staff member said the bill’s contingent-transaction list would move $4,700,000 to the technology modernization special funds, $1,000,000 to the farm and forestry operations security special fund and $5,000,000 to the human services caseload reserve; an additional $25,000,000 would be reserved for future appropriation or transfer by the General Assembly. “In FY27, 4,700,000 would be transferred to the technology modernization special funds,” the staff member summarized during the presentation.

The packet also carries forward funds related to a property-tax buyback: staff described $70,900,000 carried forward and noted that $30,000,000 is held in reserve under the bill’s reserve section. Committee members asked several clarifying questions about where the $30,000,000 would sit and how the Department of Finance and Management would execute carryforwards under the 2025 acts.

Members did not take a formal vote during the meeting. Several committee members requested clearer trigger language and said staff would refine the bill language before returning the packet; staff pledged to circulate a revised bill by Tuesday for member review.

The committee will review the revised bill and flagged sections at the next meeting; no formal action or adoption occurred during this session.