Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Agency Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves DES/DNCR/Fish & Game position shuffle; questions on ARPA-funded hires and implementation timing
Summary
Finance Division I accepted HB1 line items that move permitting positions between DES, DNCR and Fish & Game, including returning one Fish & Game position. Members pressed DES on whether positions funded with ARPA were intended to be temporary and asked for footnote language clarifying funding through December 1.
The committee accepted a package of HB1 staffing adjustments that shuffle permitting positions among the Department of Environmental Services (DES), Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) and Fish & Game.
Fiscal staff summarized the package: three positions would move from DES back to DNCR, one position from DNCR to DES, and one Fish & Game position requested in the governor's budget would be moved back to Fish & Game after discussions between DES and Fish & Game.
"If you look on page 3 ... the first item on there moves 3 positions from DES back to DNCR, and 1 position from DNCR to DES," Melissa said. She noted the moves were largely a cleanup of position numbers and alignment with agency needs. On the Fish & Game position, Melissa said DES requested that one Fish & Game position be returned, while one Fish & Game position remains in DES "and will be funded with general funds if you approve DES's budget."
Several lawmakers raised that some positions had been funded with ARPA money and that agencies previously told fiscal committees that ARPA-funded positions were temporary, not intended to be permanent. "All these Fish and Game positions were hired with ARPA funds," the Chair said; some members suggested this may argue against making them permanent. DES asked for a footnote so the position carried forward with general-fund appropriation only after ARPA expires on Dec. 1.
Why it matters
Changing which agency carries a position affects which division controls the work and whether general funds must pick up costs when ARPA or other temporary funds expire. Committee members asked for clear footnotes in HB1 to reflect the transition and for DES to confirm necessary start dates so staff can begin work by July 1 if needed.
Next steps
Committee staff will add a footnote to HB1 for the Fish & Game position remaining in DES to reflect that ARPA funds cover the position through Dec. 1 and general funds would be needed for the remainder of the biennium. DES agreed to clarify that the requested position must take effect July 1 to meet permitting workload needs.
