Committee directs staff to draft JBC bill aimed at addressing county error rates and safety‑net administration

The Joint Budget Committee voted to draft legislation aimed at addressing county error rates in safety‑net benefit programs and to clarify administrative responsibilities.

Chair framed the issue as a coordinated effort with counties and state agencies, noting intense work by counties and stakeholders over recent weeks: "I am really grateful for the work that the counties have done with our state agencies and with advocates to really try to work through this incredible challenge," the Chair said. Members cited federal changes and strained administrative capacity as drivers for the bill.

Why it matters: committee members said the goal is to reduce error rates that could result in federal penalties or funding reductions and to create a more reliable administrative process, including IT modernization efforts (references to CBMS reimagining were made during the discussion).

Committee members agreed to make this a JBC bill and to have staff draft language; the Vice Chair moved to proceed with drafting and the motion passed 6‑0. The Chair and Vice Chair said they expect additional amendments and clarifications during drafting, but that staff work over the coming days should yield a draft ready for introduction.

A separate process suggestion surfaced during the meeting: one member proposed alternating which chamber starts the long bill and which starts sunset bills to reduce workload concentration in a single chamber; members discussed timing trade‑offs and agreed to consider the idea further rather than adopt an immediate change.

Next steps: JBC staff will produce a draft bill and return it to the committee for review and introduction. Members also asked JBC staff for an updated general fund overview reflecting the actions taken at the session.