An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on the Judiciary.
This Senate resolution authorizes the Senate Judiciary Committee to incur expenditures from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It gives the committee authority to use the Senate’s contingent fund, hire staff, and, with the prior consent of applicable government departments/agencies and the Committee on Rules and Administration, obtain services from other departments or agencies on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis. The resolution also sets specific spending caps for three time periods (ending Sept 30, 2025; fiscal year 2026; and ending Feb 28, 2027) and outlines how expenses and agency contributions will be paid. In short, it provides the Judiciary Committee with formal budget authority to support hearings, investigations, and related activities for the specified timeframe, including limits on consultants and staff training.
Key Points
- 1General authority and period: The committee may spend, hire personnel, and obtain interagency services from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2027, under its jurisdiction and Senate Standing Rules.
- 2Budget caps by period:
- 3- Mar 1, 2025–Sep 30, 2025: up to $9,064,180 (up to $100,000 for consultants; up to $10,000 for staff training).
- 4- Oct 1, 2025–Sep 30, 2026: up to $15,538,595 (up to $125,000 for consultants; up to $15,000 for staff training).
- 5- Oct 1, 2026–Feb 28, 2027: up to $6,474,414 (up to $80,000 for consultants; up to $10,000 for staff training).
- 6Expenditures and vouchers: Most expenses are paid from the Senate’s contingent fund upon vouchers approved by the committee chair; certain routine payments (salaries, telecommunications, stationery, post, copying charges, recording services, mail costs) do not require vouchers.
- 7Interagency arrangements: The committee may use services from other government departments/agencies on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, with prior consent from the relevant agency and the Rules and Administration Committee.
- 8Agency contributions: Money may be drawn from the Senate’s “Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations” appropriation to cover agency contributions related to staffing for the three periods (as listed above).