A legislative committee voted to transfer funds to the Senate to begin planning renovations of Senate committee rooms in the State Capitol Building.

The committee approved a motion authorizing BLR to transfer funds for use in remodeling Senate committee rooms effective July 1, 2025. Co-chair Representative Bock moved the authorization, and the motion passed after members voted "aye." The motion text said the transfer amount was $205,063.

The committee discussed contracting an architect before undertaking work. Jill, BLR staff, said the bureau had consulted the Division of Building Authority and the Secretary of State, and "both of them made a recommendation that an architect be contracted with." She described the funds transfer as a step to "secure an architect that would come in and help establish the processes and also, give us guidance as to how we can reconfigure the room, what all is gonna go into it." Jill identified WER Architects as the recommended firm and said the firm has been used in the facility before.

Committee members noted the building's historic status as a factor in retaining an architect. A committee speaker said that a reviewer named Laidlaw gave "high marks" to the firm's previous work in the facility; Jill confirmed that account.

On the specific dollar amount, there are two references in the meeting record: one speaker said "The funds are $205,000.63," and the motion offered to transfer $205,063. The motion authorized BLR to transfer the figure stated in the motion to the Senate for use in remodeling; the committee approved that motion.

No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript; members voted by voice and the chair declared the motion passed. The transfer directs funds from BLR's committee-rooms line item to the Senate to enable the next steps of contracting and design work. The meeting record does not include details of a signed contract, a contractor selection vote, a project timeline beyond the July 1, 2025 effective date for the transfer, or the total renovation budget.

The committee adjourned after the vote.