Appropriation; Public Utilities Staff.

HB 1734 allocates $2.56 million from general state funds and $80,000 from a special fund to cover the Public Utilities Staff's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 24 permanent staff positions and strictly prohibits using these funds for salary increases, promotions, or replacing federal funds. It requires the agency to track spending within budget limits, maintain detailed records matching fiscal year 2025 standards, and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. The $80,000 is specifically designated for the "Atlas Project" and must be spent per state procurement rules.