Note: This year IFF rated maintenance bills according to a more refined system. This is an enhancement bill, and will be rated as a standalone bill. IFF will only consider enhancement line items in these ratings. This means that FTP reductions passed in maintenance legislation will not be evaluated here, among other things.

Bill Description: Senate Bill 1385 is an enhancement of $440,600 and 0.00 new full-time positions for the Industrial Commission for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $22,265,100 and 129 full-time positions to the agency.

Rating: -1 

Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?

This legislation authorizes an ongoing spending enhancement for the Industrial Commission of $88,900, adding onto last year’s (FY26) increase in ongoing spending of $178,100. FY26’s ongoing spending is wrapped into FY27’s base increase, making ongoing spending especially important to scrutinize. Volatility in these increases (or decreases) is to be expected, and makes discernment on the propriety of new spending imperative.

While some of these ongoing enhancements may be warranted, this legislation also includes ongoing appropriations for an “Annual Seminar & CIWCS” ($20,000 DF). This spending is unwarranted and inappropriate, especially in a deficit year.

(-1)

Does this budget incur any wasteful spending among discretionary funds, including new line items? Conversely, does this budget contain any provisions that serve to reduce spending where possible (i.e. base reductions, debt reconciliation, etc.)?

This legislation authorizes onetime spending for the Industrial Commission of $351,700, adding additional expenditures after last year’s (FY26) onetime spending of $392,200. Onetime spending is often even more volatile than ongoing spending, which is to be expected due to the onetime expenses generally being utilized for projects or capital outlay. This also calls for special scrutiny and discernment.

These consist of maintenance contracts and OITS Hardware and are De Minimis to an agency of this size. 

(0)