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: House Bill 869 is an enhancement of $127,700 and 0.00 new full-time positions for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $6,400,500 and 43.12 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 Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired of $127,700. There were no ongoing enhancements in FY26. 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.

This budget consists of two enhancements, Client Service Increase ($62,700 DF) and Reduce Rescission Impact ($65,000 DF). In a deficit year, client service increases are unwarranted. Further, almost all agencies faced the additional 2% JFAC holdback, and agencies asking for exemptions or restorations do a disservice to agencies who accepted the entire 5% holdback.

(-1)