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Budget office outlines timeline for new system as committee weighs limits on transfers between positions and operating expenses
Summary
Budget and Finance testified that a new budget-management system is being procured and could provide greater transparency by mid-2026; senators expressed concerns about operational flexibility during hiring shortages as they considered SB1513, which would restrict transferring funds between personnel and operating expenses.
Senate Bill 1513, which would limit transfers between funds appropriated for positions and other operating expenses, drew questions Feb. 4 from the Senate Committee on Government Operations about operational flexibility for agencies experiencing hiring delays.
Louis Oliver of the Department of Budget and Finance told the committee the department understands the bill's intent but flagged operational concerns. He said the department is procuring a new budget-management system intended to provide much greater visibility into budget and expenditure data and that it expects the system to be implemented in mid-2026 (the procurement schedule targets a mid-2026 implementation). Oliver said the new system aims to align budget, expenditure and personnel data and improve transparency.
Committee members raised scenarios in which agencies need temporary flexibility to move funds from payroll to operating expenses (or vice versa) to pay for contractors, overtime or emergency response before vacancies are filled — examples cited included COVID-19 and wildfire responses. Budget staff said transfers currently require approval and that a reporting requirement or narrowly tailored emergency exceptions could be discussed to address operational concerns.
Ending: The committee took comments and will consider whether to add reporting requirements or exceptions when it reexamines the bill during the Feb. 6 reconvened decision-making session.
