Lawmakers press BOLI on backlogs even as agency advances case management and staffing investments

The Bureau of Labor and Industries told the Ways and Means committee that it has advanced planning for a case management replacement system and reported on implementation progress for investments approved during the 2025 legislative session.

Representative Gomberg said phase 2 of the case management replacement was funded at approximately $2.2 million and three positions, with stage gate 1 approval received and procurement and staff readiness identified as schedule risks; the agency will continue running the current system if the project is delayed. On investments, Gomberg said the legislature approved roughly $18.5 million and 59 positions in 2025; as of January 2026 the agency had filled 28 of 50 positions tied to a budget note, and intake backlogs have declined while investigation backlogs — particularly in the wage-and-hour division — remain significant.

A senator who identified concerns criticized what they called "failure of execution and management," saying workers could wait several years for resolution and demanding "real accountability, faster results, and tougher scrutiny of agencies' performance right now." Gomberg and other members said continued monitoring is needed and recommended that follow-up reports be provided to the emergency board and the Transportation Economic Development Subcommittee.

Provenance (selected): topicintro: "On February 5, the Transportation Economic Development Subcommittee received a report from the Bureau of Labor and Industries on the case management system replacement project." (SEG 194–SEG 199). topicfinish: "That motion care passes." (SEG 363).