This amendment provides $1.0 million from the general fund the second year to increase the guardian ad litem payment rate from $75/hour to $78.75/hour for time spent in court and $55/hour to $57.50/hour for time spent out of court. According to the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), current Criminal Fund balances are sufficient to cover a rate increase in fiscal year 2026, but the ongoing annual Criminal Fund appropriation would need to be increased to accommodate the rate change beginning in fiscal year 2027. Language also states that OES may approve a rate increase if sufficient funding is available either from its existing Criminal Fund appropriations, as determined by a consensus six-year forecast, or from funding provided by the General Assembly to accommodate the rate change.