THE remaining amount of American Rescue Plan Act funds allotted to the Legislature has allowed the Legislative Bureau staff to continue working full time, LB Director Perry John Tenorio said.
In an interview on Thursday, Tenorio said the general fund appropriation proposed by the House of Representatives for the Legislative Bureau’s personnel cost was reduced by over $125,000. This amount, he said, reflects a 10-hour cut per pay period.
However, Tenorio said Section 704(c) and (d) of Public Law 23-9 or the fiscal year 2024 budget allows the LB director to “adjust the Legislative Branch work schedule and operating hours that are consistent with available funds for personnel and operations,” and “use any available outside source funds to restore the reduced work hours of the LB personnel.”
Of the $3.5 million ARPA funds allotted to the legislative branch in 2021, Tenorio said there is still $1.9 million available, and should be “encumbered” by the end the fiscal year 2024.
These ARPA funds have allowed the LB staff to continue working 80 hours per pay period, he added.
Tenorio said in a meeting with Speaker Edmund S. Villanueva and Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, it was agreed that the LB will continue operating full time with the use of the ARPA funds “to cover the shortfall from the general fund.”
Based on the FY 2024 budget, the LB has 32 personnel.
