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JBC funds initial HR 1 compliance systems work but demands details before long‑term commitments
Summary
Facing federal HR 1 deadlines, the committee approved limited FY25‑26 supplemental funding for eligibility‑system work (CBMS/MMIS changes and outreach) while directing the department to clarify scope, stakeholder engagement and ongoing costs for figure setting.
The committee wrestled with a federal mandate (HR 1) that requires substantial changes to eligibility operations and systems. Staff described a two‑track approach: a "minimum viable product" to meet an inflexible federal deadline, and a longer‑term plan to tap new data sources and build a more automated verification process.
Mr. Kurtz and other staff explained the department’s FY25‑26 supplemental request (system changes, small FTE for planning, stakeholder engagement contractor, and outreach[texting/social media]). Several members criticized the department for late stakeholder engagement and for implementing ad hoc changes before briefing the committee. Vice Chair Bridges said the federal timeline left little choice and warned that failing to act could trigger sanctions or larger costs later. Several members asked the department to return with clearer plans for the call center, the staffing model, and how CBMS updates will integrate with longer‑term modernization.
The JBC approved staff’s supplemental recommendation to fund the immediate year’s systems work (the portion shown for FY25‑26) but required the department to come back with more detail during figure setting for FY26‑27 and beyond.
