Committee asks OLLS to draft bill to centralize nonpartisan HR services in legislative department

The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council unanimously voted to ask the Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS) to draft a bill to study and potentially implement centralized, nonpartisan human resources services for the legislative department.

Ed DeChicco of OLLS and Director Fitzsimons of the Office of Legislative Workplace Relations briefed the committee on a memorandum and a table of potential services (table 2) that would outline services the legislative department could provide. DeChicco said the table describes options and potential phasing: "Is it over time or with additional capacity?" he asked, summarizing the options.

Members signaled support for a stepped-in approach that avoids new near-term fiscal impact. One member said, "If we're going to do this, we do a stepped in approach that has no fiscal impact because we can't afford it simply." Others said drafting legislation would allow for a more public process and help shape how services would be phased or resourced.

Madam Speaker moved that OLLS draft a bill related to the delivery of human resources services in the legislative department. The motion passed unanimously on roll call (Duran; Glendeen; Pugliese; Rodriguez; Madam Speaker; Mr. President). The committee asked that the draft emphasize options that could be implemented within existing resources and consider phased expansion or reorganization rather than immediate FTE increases.

The motion directs OLLS to prepare draft language that can be considered by the committee and, if appropriate, introduced in the legislative process. Members suggested that any eventual structure should be considered in future agenda items with fiscal details to follow.