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Human Resources Development details hiring gains, software costs and requests to convert ARPA hires to civil‑service roles
Summary
Department of Human Resources Development presented a package of requests to fund payroll capacity, software subscriptions, and to convert several ARPA‑funded recruitment and staffing positions into permanent roles. DHIRD also outlined steps taken to reduce statewide vacancy rates and expand outreach and hiring programs.
The Department of Human Resources Development briefed the House Finance Committee on its FY2026–27 budget needs, saying vacancy rates have fallen modestly but that the agency still needs targeted investments in payroll capacity, recruiting and software to sustain gains.
Why it matters: State hiring and retention shape the capacity of all agencies. DHIRD said that statewide vacancy reductions have improved operations but that changes in compensation, software subscription costs and the expiration of ARPA funds require legislative action to sustain recruiting momentum.
Key items DHIRD presented: - Vacancies and recruitment: Director Brenna Hashimoto said the statewide vacancy rate has declined from a high of 27% to about 24% in the most recent report. DHIRD described delegated recruitments and an expanded outreach program (job fairs, employer branding, LinkedIn advertising) that have increased applications and hires. - Payroll and compensation funding: DHIRD requested about $581,000 each year to fund under‑budgeted positions and allow promotions and salary adjustments for roughly 45 positions that the department says are currently underfunded. - Software and data systems: DHIRD said enterprise subscriptions (recruiting platform, HRMS/PeopleSoft modules, Adobe Learning Manager) cost nearly $1 million annually; the current base budget does not fully cover the subscriptions and the department asked to add ongoing funds to avoid shortfalls after IT‑infrastructure money is exhausted. - ARPA conversions and recruiting staff: DHIRD asked to convert multiple ARPA‑funded positions to civil‑service roles, including staffing for outreach/rapid recruitment events and records/transactions business analysts whom the department said are needed for the Enterprise Financial System and other integrations. - Workers’ compensation funding: The department requested temporary increases to pay rising medical and prescription costs for the state’s workers’ compensation program; claim counts have declined but medical costs have increased.
What committee members asked: Representatives asked about DHIRD outreach events, SkillBridge internships for transitioning military members, delegated recruitments and whether departments with long‑term vacancies should have positions abolished. DHIRD said delegated recruitments and a focus on occupations (not departments) guide on‑site hiring events, and that abolition decisions are handled in the budget review process.
Next steps: DHIRD asked the committee to consider allowing the requested recurring operating amounts, to fund software subscriptions and to convert critical ARPA positions to civil‑service roles so recruiting gains can be sustained.
