Lawmakers press BGS on fleet size, utilization and alternative‑fuel rules

Members of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee focused extensive questioning on the Buildings and General Services fleet program during the Feb. 10 hearing, seeking data on utilization, costs and compliance with a statutory directive to prioritize alternative‑fuel vehicles.

Deputy Commissioner Emily told the committee that BGS manages a large, mixed fleet and is pursuing strategies to increase utilization through telematics, automated motor‑pool reservations and targeted outreach. "It is the policy of the state that you go with fleet first before you go with, mileage reimbursement," Emily said, noting the state tries to maximize the use of fleet vehicles as more cost‑effective than mileage reimbursements in many cases.

Emily offered several headline figures: 642 vehicles in the fleet with about 60% categorized as alternative‑fuel or hybrid vehicles, 47 vehicles in the statewide motor pool (about half of which are in use on a typical day), 595 vehicles assigned to agencies under lease agreements, and 10 FTEs managing the program. Committee members repeatedly asked for more granular breakdowns — how many are plug‑in EVs versus hybrids, average age and replacement thresholds (mile‑based schedules were described), annual maintenance and repair costs, and telemetry/usage analytics by vehicle class.

Several lawmakers raised operational and equity questions: how rural employees who drive long distances or need rugged vehicles are accommodated, whether EVs perform in extended cold spells and charging‑infrastructure readiness, and how BGS enforces limits on personal use of assigned vehicles. Emily acknowledged tradeoffs: while alternative‑fuel vehicles provide fuel savings and match a statutory directive, some roles (e.g., field investigators or security officers, and those operating in remote back roads) may require more rugged or long‑range vehicles.

Committee members asked for a data dump: utilization metrics for the 595 leased vehicles, maintenance/repair cost histories, motor‑pool rental day usage (noted as 5,296 rental days in testimony), EV counts and performance in winter conditions, and more granular cost comparisons if services were contracted out versus performed in‑house (print and information center staffing were cited as analogous questions). Members indicated interest in exploring whether the number of motor‑pool vehicles or assigned fleet could be adjusted to improve utilization without impairing service.

Emily agreed to follow up with more detailed reporting and the committee scheduled a continuation of BGS testimony early next week to allow time for the additional materials to be reviewed ahead of the committee's recommendation deadline to House Appropriations.

Ending: The committee agreed to reconvene for additional BGS testimony after staff compiles the requested fleet and program data.