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Committee advances SB1510 to force reporting and removal of long‑vacant state FTEs
Summary
The committee voted 3-2 to give SB1510 a do pass recommendation. The bill would require agencies to report FTE positions vacant for at least 150 days and direct budget units to eliminate such vacancies, with certain exemptions; sponsor and an outside advocate urged the change as fiscally responsible.
The Committee on Regulatory Oversight voted 3-2 to give Senate Bill 1510 a "do pass" recommendation after staff explained the bill, the sponsor addressed members and a witness spoke in favor.
Staff said the Department of Administration currently reports financial and FTE information to JLBC and OSPB. SB1510 would require that report to include a list of all full‑time equivalent positions that have been vacant for at least 150 days, and would direct budget units to eliminate such vacant positions, thereby adjusting the unit’s allocation of FTE positions. The bill lists exempted budget units — including the Department of Corrections, Department of Public Safety, Arizona Board of Regents, universities and community college districts — and staff said a fiscal note is attached. JLBC estimated approximately 4,700 vacant positions relative to authorized FTE ceilings for nonexempt agencies but said it could not determine how many had been vacant for the 150‑day threshold without agency data.
Senator Finchem, the sponsor, said unfilled, budgeted positions tie up resources that could be reallocated to higher‑priority needs and argued agencies should return positions that remain unfilled so money can be redirected. Katarina White, representing the Foundation for Government Accountability, testified in support, calling the bill practical and fiscally responsible and noting the bill recognizes hard‑to‑fill areas while requiring reporting for transparency.
Roll call recorded Representative Contreras and Representative Hernandez voting no; Representative Kessel, Vice Chairman Collin and Chairman Chapnick voting aye, producing a 3-2 'do pass' recommendation. The committee adjourned following the vote.
