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Chair says no funds spent on audit subcommittee; senators press for exact AI contract payments
Summary
Senators were briefed that the finance subcommittee has not yet spent the $150,000 appropriated for a special investigation into FY24 audit findings, and a senator pressed OFB for a dollar figure on payments to a terminated AI drafting contractor, with OFB estimating $12,000–$15,000 so far.
Senator Barnett asked for an update on a special investigative subcommittee established by resolution to examine about $22.6 million in questioned federal costs flagged in the FY2024 audit. The resolution, she said, included a $150,000 budget and a 120‑day timeline to produce a report.
The chair, who also chairs the finance committee, said none of the appropriation has been expended and that he has used his committee staff and resources to begin the work. "We have expended none of the appropriation that's identified there," the chair said, adding that the resolution and formal parameters will be circulated to the body and that the chair will tap additional senators as the formal investigative structure is completed.
Barnett also questioned OFB about an AI legislative‑drafting contract entered into with Trist/Trisaguam LLC that the Committee on Rules later terminated. She said the contract had been widely reported and asked whether any payments were made to the vendor despite termination and non‑delivery of access to senators.
Mr. Guerrero (OFB) told the chamber that "prior to the contract being terminated, there was some expenses incurred" and that his information put expenditures in the range of "$12 to $15,000." Guerrero said he would try to get the exact figure.
Senators expressed concern that the resolution's public profile had implied a fully staffed subcommittee and a committed $150,000 expenditure, while the chair said his committee had met once with the OPA and the audit firm and that the formal funding request had not yet been set up. The chair said he would circulate the resolution and any funding paperwork when ready.
The committee closed the legislative chapter and moved on to other budget items. The OFB and the chair pledged to provide a precise accounting of any vendor payments and to circulate the investigative subcommittee's formal materials as they are finalized.
