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Ways and Means advances $79.2 million budget boost for Bureau of Labor and Industries, adds 59 positions
Summary
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 20 recommended approval, as amended, of a $79.2 million budget for the Bureau of Labor and Industries that would add 59 positions to expand enforcement and apprenticeship work.
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means on June 20 recommended passage, as amended, of House Bill 5015, the budget bill for the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), sending a package that would set a $79,231,998 total-funds budget and 217 positions for the agency to the next floor stages.
The capital construction subcommittee recommended the dash-3 amendment and reported the bill out "due pass as amended." The recommended budget increases BOLI's capacity with investments totaling about $18,500,000 and 59 positions to expand business operations, civil-rights enforcement, wage-and-hour enforcement and apprenticeship support.
Why it matters: Lawmakers said the increase responds to heavier caseloads and enforcement needs since 2021. Several committee members pressed the agency on hiring timelines and when staff increases would allow BOLI to raise limits on complaint reviews that the agency has been using.
Bureau official Josh Nasby, introduced by the agency, said the bureau has been preparing and expects to begin hiring "over the next couple of months, we'll begin hiring all of these positions and hope to get them on board." He added, "in terms of the threshold, the expectation is, we'll lift that at the end of the year, which will coincide when we have the folks on board." Nasby spoke for the Bureau of Labor and Industries during the hearing.
Committee members pressed on process and policy implications. Senator Anderson registered a formal "no" on grounds that prevailing-wage enforcement by the department has increased construction costs and housing pressures; several members cast courtesy no votes during the roll call but the motion ultimately passed. Representative Gomberg carried the measure before the committee.
Details and funding: The recommendation draws on the general fund, the wage-security fund and a one-time $14.7 million transfer from the Department of Consumer and Business Services Worker Benefit Fund. The package would also include positions and modest increases to other-funds expenditure limitation for related agencies.
Follow-up and oversight: Committee cochairs asked the bureau to report back; Nasby acknowledged a previously requested report and said the bureau will "be reporting back and look to partner with the assembly as we move forward." The committee recorded the motion as passed and moved the amended bill forward.
Ending note: The committee advanced HB 5015 as an amended budget measure; the timing of hires, the operational effect on complaint thresholds and the fiscal detail will be topics for follow-up as the bill advances.
