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Bill Summary · HB 1724

Summary — HB 1724: Appropriation; Department of Environmental Quality (FY2026)

Status: Died in conference (Conference request failed 03/29/2025)
Introduced: January 2, 2025

Main purpose

HB 1724 was an FY2026 appropriation bill that would fund the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. It set budget totals (general and special funds), authorized staff levels, established administrative and reporting requirements, and specified targeted performance measures for DEQ programs. The bill ultimately did not become law (died in conference).

Key provisions and changes

  • Appropriations
    • The engrossed/amended text identifies a special‑fund appropriation of $16,173,704 (Section 2). The document also shows a larger fund figure of $251,588,602 referenced as funds "appropriated under the provisions of this act" (Section 3). (The bill text as provided does not clearly label a separate general‑fund line amount.)
  • Authorized headcount
    • Permanent positions: 212
    • Time‑limited positions: 165
  • Personnel and payroll controls
    • Directs the agency and State Personnel Board to ensure FY2027 personal‑services costs do not exceed the FY2026 appropriation (unless the Legislature adds programs/positions).
    • Restricts use of vacancy funds (may be used to fill vacancies but not to increase current employee pay via promotions/title changes).
    • State Personnel Board escalations for positions require written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration and proof of available new funds.
  • Prohibitions and funding integrity
    • Prohibits using general funds provided under the act to replace federal or other special funds previously used for salaries if those funds are withdrawn.
    • Requires compliance with IRS Publication 15‑A reporting rules for contract employees.
    • Restricts use of state vehicles to official state business.
  • Reporting, recordkeeping, and planning
    • DEQ must maintain accounting and personnel records at the same level of detail as FY2025 and submit its FY2027 budget request in comparable detail to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
  • Performance measures (selected targets for FY2026)
    • Percent of counties meeting National Ambient Air Quality (NAAQ) standards: 75%
    • Percent of air permits modified/issued in a timely manner: 50%
    • Percent of air facilities in compliance: 85%
    • Percent of waters with acceptable quality for designed use: (target listed)
    • Several additional targets for inspections, permit timeliness, contaminated site assessment/remediation, SRF loan compliance, and recycling access were included (full list in bill).

Who would be affected

  • Department of Environmental Quality operations, staff, and programs statewide (air, water, waste, geology, contaminated sites, permits, loans, inspections).
  • Entities regulated by DEQ (permit applicants, facilities, loan recipients, counties).
  • State Personnel Board and Department of Finance & Administration insofar as approvals and payroll controls are concerned.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Multiple amendments and committee amendments were filed and adopted during floor and committee action.
  • The bill moved through House and Senate committees, was amended, and had enrollment/transmittal activity, but returned from conference as “Died In Conference” on 03/29/2025, so the appropriations and authorizations did not take effect.

If you want, I can produce a concise table listing the full set of performance targets and the exact sections of the bill that impose the personnel/financial controls.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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