DPS officials seek one‑shot funds to finish NCJIS modernization as lawmakers flag new requests

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee heard from Department of Public Safety officials on a $19,011,896 one‑shot appropriation package that includes funding for the Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) modernization and several other technology, vehicle and equipment requests.

The appropriation request covers consulting and change‑management fees, continued modernization work on NCJIS, records management upgrades for parole and probation and other division needs. Christy Defer, senior fiscal officer for the Department of Public Safety, said the package spans multiple divisions and included both state general fund and State Highway Fund items.

Lawmakers focused their questions on costs the department said were not in the governor’s recommended budget. Jason Kolenut, administrative services officer for the Records Communications and Compliance Division, told the committee several additional costs were identified after the budget was built because of delays: “We have had some delays and pushbacks in our go live, which are causing us to have those contracts extended,” he said. Kolenut said extension of legacy contracts and additional work to finish phase 1 of the modernization were driving the new requests.

Erica Suzayamas, a Department of Public Safety project representative, told the committee that some items were identified in October and November and later submitted as budget amendments; those amendments did not move forward during the executive budget process. She said the extensions are tied to outside criminal justice partners and ensuring no loss of critical data during transition.

Committee members pressed on structure and policy issues. Assemblymember Watts said the subcommittee had concerns about the cumulative effect of the positions, contract extensions and one‑shot requests related to NCJIS. “It is frustrating for me ... to try and understand everything when we've got budgets, budget amendments, and one‑shots,” Watts said. DPS staff acknowledged sections of the bill — notably a $2,000,000 line for continued phase‑1 costs — were not anticipated in the executive budget and will require committee discussion at the work session.

Other divisions that testified identified recurring vs. one‑time needs. Andy McCool, administrative services officer for the Division of Parole and Probation, said certain software subscription costs are ongoing but historically were requested as one‑time funding because products previously were purchased outright rather than by subscription.

The committee did not vote on the bill at the hearing. Members said they would consider the package further at a work session, including whether to approve added funds for NCJIS phase‑1 extensions and staffing proposals that were moved in or out of agency budgets. A number of lawmakers requested additional detail and reconciliation of which costs had been reviewed in subcommittee closings and what must be resolved before a final decision.

Ending: Committee staff and DPS agreed to provide more line‑by‑line detail ahead of the work session. The committee chair said section 5 (the $2 million continuation) and section 13 (position and organizational changes) would be topics for follow‑up before the legislature takes final action.