Appropriations committee advances bill making employees of four statewide elected offices at-will

Chairman Andrews led the House Appropriations Committee through a presentation of House Bill 324, which would make employees of the four statewide elected executive offices "at-will" and change how those employees are classified and managed.

The bill would apply the employment framework used by the Legislative Service Office to four statewide elected officials currently under the statewide employment system. Chairman Andrews told the committee the measure also includes an amendment to transfer two full-time positions and $236,720 from A&I to the Office of the State Auditor to handle the personnel work the bill moves.

The measure’s sponsor and supporters said the intent is to give newly elected officials more flexibility to place staff where the office needs them. Christy Racina, State Auditor, told the committee, "These are still FTEs, but they'll just be classified as at will." She said employees currently in protected positions would be grandfathered and the change would apply to hires, promotions or position changes beginning July 1.

Several members pressed officials on timing, payroll and retirement effects. Representative Harrelson asked whether FTE counts would change; the State Auditor answered that the bill lays groundwork for flexibility but that FTE designations and budget controls still reside in the budget bill and related statutory salary provisions. The State Superintendent, Megan Daigenfelder, said her agency supports the change, noting personnel rules had slowed prior recruitment and that the bill would allow agencies to operate more efficiently while remaining fully benefited.

Treasurer Kurt Meyer, giving operational context, and other speakers discussed the practical effects of giving elected officials more flexibility and the safeguards some offices intend to keep for key technical staff. Several members asked whether agencies would create new HR positions or reassign existing A&I HR staff; the presenters said the amendment anticipates using unfilled positions in A&I and making the positions joint hires to serve the four offices.

Public comment was opened and none was offered. The committee moved the bill, adopted the amendment presented by Chairman Andrews, and approved House Bill 324 on a roll call vote.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 324 — motion: "Do pass"; mover: (unnamed in transcript) moved the bill; second: Representative Harrelson. Roll call recorded Representatives Angelos (Aye), Harrelson (Aye), Pendergraft (Aye), Sherwood (Aye), Smith (Aye), Chairman Bair (Aye); Representative Aleman was excused. Tally: 6 Aye, 0 No, 1 Excused. The committee reported the bill as passed to the next stage.

The committee discussion clarified that current protected employees would be grandfathered, the change applies to hires/promotions/position changes as of July 1, and the amendment transfers two full-time positions and $236,720 from A&I to the State Auditor’s office to administer the personnel function. Committee members requested additional clarifying language and reserved the option to consider further amendments before floor debate.

The committee moved on to subsequent bills following the vote.