Department of Civil Service briefs Appropriations on recruitment, retention and retirement changes raising hiring challenges

The House Committee on Appropriations heard an overview from the Department of State Civil Service on April 14 about recruitment and retention challenges across state government. Director Byron Decatur and deputy staff discussed how retirement law changes, pay schedules and private‑sector competition affect agencies’ ability to fill positions.

Why it matters: recruitment and retention shape agency capacity to deliver services; the committee raised these structural issues while considering budget and pay flexibility across state departments.

Decatur told members that changes to retirement rules and benefit structures have altered the calculus for potential employees. He said the state no longer has the old practice of “30 years at any age” retirement that previously encouraged long‑term public service, and that employees hired under newer rules generally must work to age 62 to reach similar retirement thresholds. Decatur said those changes, combined with a younger workforce that prioritizes immediate pay and flexibility, have made recruitment and retention more difficult for some agencies.

Civil Service staff noted there are pay‑flex tools available to appointing authorities and that many recruitment challenges stem from private‑sector salary competition for experienced technical and professional staff. The department recommended continued dialogue with appointing authorities on pay flexibilities and pointed to pending proposals (members cited House Bill 9 among current session items) to address specific pay and retirement concerns.

Committee members emphasized that civil service constraints are widely discussed across agencies and asked the department to continue providing data and to work with legislators on potential legislative fixes. No appropriation action was decided during the hearing.