BFED-14 Bill 9 (2026) BILL 9, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET: INCREASE ESTIMATED REVENUES, LICENSES, PERMITS, AND OTHER REVENUES; INCREASE GENERAL FUND CARRYOVER/SAVINGS; DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, TRANSFER TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX FUND; DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY, INCREASE EQUIVALENT PERSONNEL BY 10.0; AND DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS (BFED-14)
I am submitting attached written testimony in opposition to Bill 9 (2026). This bill raises serious concerns regarding the use of one-time General Fund carryover to create permanent staffing and long-term operational obligations, the bundling of multiple major fiscal actions into a single amendment, and the grant of broad acquisition and upgrade authority for private water systems without clear guardrails or defined oversight. As drafted, the legislation obscures the true long-term fiscal impact and weakens transparency and Council control over future commitments. My written testimony details these concerns for the record.
Revised Bill 9 (2026)
I am submitting attached written testimony in opposition to Bill 9 (2026). This bill raises serious concerns regarding the use of one-time General Fund carryover to create permanent staffing and long-term operational obligations, the bundling of multiple major fiscal actions into a single amendment, and the grant of broad acquisition and upgrade authority for private water systems without clear guardrails or defined oversight. As drafted, the legislation obscures the true long-term fiscal impact and weakens transparency and Council control over future commitments. My written testimony details these concerns for the record.