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Secretary of State proposes extra $3 million transfer, defends cash fund for IT project
Summary
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen told the Appropriations Committee his office can contribute an additional $3 million from the records management cash fund to the general fund but cautioned against an alternative $2.5 million transfer because the office is mid‑project on a mission‑critical IT replacement with ongoing maintenance needs.
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen asked senators to accept a change to the Appropriations Committee’s preliminary recommendations that would authorize a $3,000,000 transfer from the Secretary of State’s Records Management Cash Fund to the General Fund.
Evnen said the office has already committed $6,000,000 from that cash fund in the current biennium and proposed adding $3,000,000 so the office’s total contribution would be $9,000,000. "What we would propose is that we'd make an additional $3,000,000 contribution from that cash fund so that now our total contribution would be $9,000,000," Evnen told the committee.
At the same time, Evnen strongly opposed an alternative governor's proposal to transfer $2.5 million from Secretary of State cash funds elsewhere, arguing the office is midstream on a major information‑technology modernization (a full replacement of UCC and business services systems). He described the IT project cost as "on the order of 2 and a half million dollars" with ongoing maintenance costs he estimated at about $500,000 for the near term, and said diverting operating cash could leave the office short in subsequent fiscal years.
Senators asked for clarifications on the office’s operating expenses and the timing of cash flows that fluctuate by filing cycles; Evnen explained revenue swings tied to odd‑ and even‑year filing patterns and said removing funds could make operations "just short" in fiscal year 27.
What happens next: Evnen’s request was recorded and the committee proceeded to the next agency hearing. Any cash‑transfer decisions remain subject to committee and floor action.
