Committee debates new recusal rules and scoring conflicts during grant review

Committee members spent substantial time clarifying new standing rules governing conflicts of interest and recusal during Aug. 26's special meeting.

Several members said prior practice allowed members to score while disclosing a conflict; under the new rules presented to the committee, members "will refuse yourself from all scoring," and a Department of Finance representative emphasized that the new rule removes the prior ability to score if conflicted. One member said they had previously stated a conflict and scored other items; the committee discussed whether the new rule applied immediately or would take effect with the incoming commission.

Members also questioned whether Finance’s recommendation — for example, that an applicant meet monthly with the Department of Health — stepped outside Finance’s expertise. Finance said its recommendation was based on completeness checks and past practices and that the committee must follow standing rules for scoring and appropriations. The exchange clarified that recusal from scoring does not automatically remove a member from voting on an application, a point committee members sought to confirm.