NATIONAL GUARD, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND

LEGISLATURE BASE BUDGET

2024 GENERAL SESSION

STATE OF UTAH

Chief Sponsor: Jerry W Stevenson

House Sponsor: Val L. Peterson

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LONG TITLE
General Description:
     This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024 and appropriates funds for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.
Highlighted Provisions:
     This bill:
     ▸     provides appropriations for the use and support of certain state agencies;
     ▸     provides appropriations for other purposes as described;
     ▸     provides intent language.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
     This bill appropriates ($1,502,600) in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2024.
     This bill appropriates $136,908,700 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025, including:
     ▸     $68,501,300 from the General Fund;
     ▸     $1,850,000 from the Income Tax Fund; and
     ▸     $66,557,400 from various sources as detailed in this bill.
     This bill appropriates $47,580,400 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2025.
     This bill appropriates $12,000,000 in restricted fund and account transfers for fiscal year 2025, including:
     ▸     $12,009,500 from the General Fund; and
     ▸     ($9,500) from various sources as detailed in this bill.
Other Special Clauses:
     Section 1 of this bill takes effect immediately. Section 2 and Section 3 of this bill take effect on July 1, 2024.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
     ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
     Section 1. FY 2024 Appropriations. The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. These are additions to amounts otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2024.
     Subsection 1(a). Operating and Capital Budgets. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
Capitol Preservation Board
Item 1
     To Capitol Preservation Board
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
504,700

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(637,400)

Schedule of Programs:
Capitol Preservation Board
(132,700)

Legislature
Item 2
     To Legislature - Senate
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
584,000

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(584,000)

Item 3
     To Legislature - House of Representatives
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
956,400

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(956,400)

Item 4
     To Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
From General Fund, One-time
(288,700)

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
(273,900)

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
273,900

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
(288,700)

Item 5
     To Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
326,500

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(375,400)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration and Research
(48,900)

Item 6
     To Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
109,000

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(109,000)

Item 7
     To Legislature - Legislative Services
From General Fund, One-time
288,700

From Dedicated Credits Revenue, One-time
(188,300)

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
73,500

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(73,500)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
(188,300)

Legislative Interns
288,700

Item 8
     To Legislature - Legislative Services Digital Wellness Commission
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
994,200

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(994,200)

Utah National Guard
Item 9
     To Utah National Guard
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
757,800

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(3,228,600)

Schedule of Programs:
Operations and Maintenance
(2,470,800)

Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Item 10
     To Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,338,100

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
97,500

Cemetery
727,400

Outreach Services
513,200

     Under terms of Section 63J-1-603(3)(a) Utah Code Annotated, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs in Item 23, Chapter 6, Laws of Utah 2023 and Item 196, Chapter 485, Laws of Utah 2023 not lapse at the close of fiscal year 2024. Use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to one-time operations or one-time cemetery acquistion costs.
     Subsection 1(b). Expendable Funds and Accounts. The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the funds or accounts.
Utah National Guard
Item 11
     To Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund
From Beginning Fund Balance
(250,300)

From Closing Fund Balance
250,300

Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Item 12
     To Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home Fund
From Beginning Fund Balance
427,000

From Closing Fund Balance
(427,000)

     Section 2. FY 2025 Appropriations. The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.
     Subsection 2(a). Operating and Capital Budgets. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
Capitol Preservation Board
Item 13
     To Capitol Preservation Board
From General Fund
5,774,400

From Dedicated Credits Revenue
320,500

From Expendable Receipts
10,000

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,792,200

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,438,200)

Schedule of Programs:
Capitol Preservation Board
6,458,900

Legislature
Item 14
     To Legislature - Senate
From General Fund
4,721,500

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
2,362,000

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(2,362,000)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
4,721,500

Item 15
     To Legislature - House of Representatives
From General Fund
7,447,400

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
4,460,100

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(4,460,100)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
7,447,400

Item 16
     To Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
From General Fund
14,514,200

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
6,814,800

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(6,814,800)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
14,514,200

     The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (LRGC) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills to the Subcommittee on Oversight before October 31, 2024. For FY 2025, LRGC shall report on the following performance measures: 1) During the annual general session, bills numbered within two business days after receiving approval from the sponsor (Target = 95%); 2) Bills numbered before the annual general session convenes (Target = 250 bills); 3) Live priority bills completed or abandoned by the 5th Friday of the annual general session (Target = 80%); 4) Timely distribution of "Interim Highlights" to the Legislature (Target = Four business days after interim); 5) Review bills that have passed a chamber within 24 hours of the bill's passage to ensure the proper version is sent to the opposite chamber (Target = 98%); 6) Comply with court-established deadlines when representing the Legislature, a legislator, or a legislative employee in litigation (Target = 100%); 7) Comply with time limits for submission of ballot titles and impartial analyses (Target = 100%); and 8) Comply with Open and Public Meeting notice requirements for legislative committees (Target = 100%).
Item 17
     To Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst
From General Fund
5,220,700

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,756,700

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,756,700)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration and Research
5,220,700

     The Legislature intends that the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills to the Subcommittee on Oversight before October 31, 2024. For FY 2025, LFA shall report on the following performance measures: 1) On-target revenue estimates (Target = 92% accurate for estimates 18 months out, 98% accurate for estimates four months out); 2) Correct appropriations bills (Target = 99%); 3) Unrevised fiscal notes (Target = 99.5%); and 4) Timely fiscal notes (Target = 95%).
Item 18
     To Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General
From General Fund
7,676,400

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,790,000

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,790,000)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
7,676,400

     The Legislature intends that the Office of the Legislative Auditor General (LAG) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills to the Subcommittee on Oversight before October 31, 2024. For FY 2025, LAG shall report on the following performance measures: 1) Total audits completed each year (Target = 20); 2) Number of agency recommendations and implementation status (implemented, in process, partial implementation, or not implemented); and 3) Number of legislative recommendations and implementation status (implemented, in process, partial implementation, or not implemented).
Item 19
     To Legislature - Legislative Services
From General Fund
8,420,200

From Dedicated Credits Revenue
40,000

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
4,278,800

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(4,278,800)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
1,621,900

Pass Through
825,200

Legislative Interns
420,900

Information Technology
5,592,200

     The Legislature intends that the Office of Legislative Services (LS) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills to the Subcommittee on Oversight before October 31, 2024. For FY 2025, LS shall report on the following performance measures: 1) File server up-time (Target = 95%); 2) Microsoft Secure score (Target = 85%); 3) Legislative committee rooms opened, tested, and ready for meetings no later than one hour before any scheduled meetings (Target = 100%); 4) Employee onboarding completed within three business days (Target = 100% and provide actual numbers).
Item 20
     To Legislature - Legislative Services Digital Wellness Commission
From General Fund
300,000

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
994,200

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(994,200)

Schedule of Programs:
Digital Wellness Commission
300,000

Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Item 21
     To Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs
From General Fund
3,298,500

From Federal Funds
737,500

From Dedicated Credits Revenue
358,900

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
749,200

Cemetery
919,100

State Approving Agency
277,500

Outreach Services
2,290,900

Military Affairs
158,200

     In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (DVMA) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills for the DVMA line item to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget before August 15, 2024. For FY 2025, DVMA shall report on the following performance measures: 1) Provide programs that assist veterans with filing and receiving compensation, pension, and educational benefits administered by the U.S. Veterans Administration (Target = 5% annual growth); 2) Veterans benefits received (Target = $600 million); 3) Assist in ensuring veterans are employed in the Utah workforce (Target = Veterans unemployment rate no greater than the statewide unemployment rate); 4) Increase the number of current conflict veterans who are connected to appropriate services (Target = 10% annual increase); and 5) Veterans cemetery customer satisfaction (Target = 4.75 out of 5).
Item 22
     To Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - DVMA Pass Through
From General Fund
2,247,500

From Income Tax Fund
200,000

Schedule of Programs:
DVMA Pass Through
2,447,500

     Subsection 2(b). Expendable Funds and Accounts. The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the funds or accounts.
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Item 23
     To Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home Fund
From Federal Funds
44,540,300

From Dedicated Credits Revenue
232,800

From Beginning Fund Balance
15,981,400

From Closing Fund Balance
(15,981,400)

Schedule of Programs:
Veterans Nursing Home Fund
44,773,100

     In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (DVMA) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills for the Veterans Nursing Home Fund line item to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget before August 15, 2024. For FY 2025, DVMA shall report on the following performance measures: 1) Occupancy rate (Target = 95% average); 2) Number of homes in top 30% of all veterans homes nationally (Target = 3); 3) Performance ratings (Target = 4.75 [out of 5]); and 4) Customer satisfaction (Target = 4.5 [out of 5]).
     Subsection 2(c). Restricted Fund and Account Transfers. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation.
Item 24
     To Firefighters Retirement Trust & Agency Fund
From General Fund
12,000,000

Schedule of Programs:
Firefighters Retirement Trust & Agency Fund
12,000,000

     Section 3. FY 2025 Appropriations. The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025 for programs reviewed during the accountable budget process. These are additions to amounts otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2025.
     Subsection 3(a). Operating and Capital Budgets. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
Utah National Guard
Item 25
     To Utah National Guard
From General Fund
8,880,500

From Income Tax Fund
1,650,000

From Federal Funds
60,941,600

From Dedicated Credits Revenue
47,700

From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
4,010,600

From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(263,400)

Schedule of Programs:
Administration
1,736,500

Operations and Maintenance
68,463,800

Tuition Assistance
2,850,000

West Traverse Sentinel Landscape
2,216,700

     The Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard be allowed to increase its vehicle fleet by up to three vehicles with funding from existing appropriations.
     In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard (UNG) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills for the Utah National Guard item to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget before August 15, 2024. For FY 2025, UNG shall report on the following performance measures: 1) Personnel readiness (Target = 100% assigned strength); 2) Individual training completion (Target = 90% completion of qualifications); 3) National Guard Mission Fulfillment (Target = 100% fulfillment of every mission assigned by the Commander in Chief; 4) Installation readiness (Target = Installation Status Report of category 2 or better for each facility); 5) Facility project federal share (Target = 75%); 6) Facility maintenance cost per square foot (Target = $3.00); 7) Utility cost per square foot (Target = $2.00); 8) Tuition assistance applications fulfilled (Target = 700); 9) Percentage of tuition assistance applications fulfilled (Target = 75%); 9) Number of acres preserved under the West Traverse Sentinel Landscape Program; and 10) Number of acres under agreement for preservation under the West Traverse Sentinel Landscape Program.
     Subsection 3(b). Expendable Funds and Accounts. The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the funds or accounts.
Utah National Guard
Item 26
     To Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
2,807,300

From Beginning Fund Balance
16,100

From Closing Fund Balance
(16,100)

Schedule of Programs:
National Guard MWR Fund
2,807,300

     In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard (UNG) report the final status of performance measures established in FY 2024 appropriations bills for the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund line item to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget before August 15, 2024. For FY 2025, UNG shall report on the following performance measures: 1) Financial sustainability (Target = Ratio of income to expenses at least 100%); and 2) Enhanced morale (Target = Average score of 70% or higher positive customer feedback).
     Subsection 3(c). Restricted Fund and Account Transfers. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation.
Item 27
     To General Fund Restricted - National Guard Death Benefits Account
From General Fund
9,500

From Beginning Fund Balance
376,000

From Closing Fund Balance
(385,500)

     Section 4. Effective Date.
     If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, Section 1 of this bill takes effect upon approval by the Governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah Constitution Article VII, Section 8 without the Governor's signature, or in the case of a veto, the date of override. Section 2 and Section 3 of this bill take effect on July 1, 2024.