Industrial Commission seeks staffing, IRIS maintenance and vehicle replacements in 2026 budget request

The Industrial Commission told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 23 that it is seeking a mix of ongoing and one‑time funding in fiscal 2026 to staff vacancies, maintain its IRIS case management system and replace aging field vehicles.

“Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst for the Legislative Services Office, opened the presentation, saying, “this is the budget review for the Industrial Commission.” He noted the agency has 130.25 total FTPs, and 12 vacant positions as of August, and that the commission is a dedicated‑fund agency rather than a general‑fund agency.

The request includes personnel and operating enhancements billed to the Industrial Administration Fund and a continuing need to fund maintenance for the IRIS modernization project. Committee members repeatedly pressed the agency on why IRIS — which Peterson and others described as largely complete as a development project — still requires recurring contracted support instead of being absorbed by the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS). Peterson said the request for $288,000 is “contracted support” because OITS has not been able to provide the long‑term technical support the commission expected.

Director George Gutierrez told the committee the IRIS project automated many paper processes and increased the volume and sources of data the commission manages, which in turn raised workloads in several program areas. “The difference here is some of those responsibilities that…