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Senate committee adopts peer-review, personnel and claims reports; unspent ARPA funds to be returned to federal government
Summary
The committee approved three subcommittee reports, including a peer review report that held two items and noted that unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds must be returned to the federal government; members set a deadline to clear holds by next Thursday.
The committee adopted three subcommittee reports during a meeting that covered litigation claims, personnel items and peer-review recommendations, and members clarified that unused ARPA funds are being returned to the federal government.
Representative Shepherd presented the claims review litigation reports oversight subcommittee findings, saying the subcommittee met April 14, reviewed two Department of Corrections settlements and affirmed the claims commission ruling on one denied and dismissed claim. "I move adoption of the report," Representative Shepherd said; the committee approved the report by voice vote.
Senator Davis reported the Joint Budget Committee personnel subcommittee met April 14–15 to review the governor’s letters and amendments 1–17, and moved adoption of the personnel report with exceptions for items referred back to personnel. Davis said item 3 (the lieutenant governor’s office amendment JR134) did not pass and items 3 and 4 (auditor of state and lieutenant governor) were returned to personnel for further review. The committee adopted the personnel report by voice vote.
A committee member presented the peer review subcommittee report, saying the panel met April 15, reviewed requests and approved various temporary appropriations including American Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocations, restricted reserve fund transfers, and a reallocation of resources. The member said two items were held: K2 (discretionary DHS grants) and L4 (contract #8 with DHS and EMS LINQ). The member moved adoption of the peer review report, including review of contract #8 in L4.
On questioning from Senator Flowers, the committee member clarified why ARPA funds were being returned. "They were not used within the time frame given under the federal parameters," the committee member said, and confirmed the unspent funds would be returned to the federal government and could not be retained by the state.
Following discussion, the peer review report was adopted by voice vote. Representative Richardson was reported to be releasing his hold on the L4 contract after DHS provided additional information.
The meeting closed after procedural announcements and the chair advising members to resolve outstanding holds ahead of the committee’s deadline next Thursday.
