ALC-JBC Personnel

it's time to get started. Just in time. Again, is there anything you'd like to say? OK, I'll come later then. All right, the first item that we're going to go over today is item B, and again, if you recall this was held and that, uh, we had budgeted and unbudgeted positions that were being cut, uh, there needed to be some additional discussion that was done last week. And I'll go ahead and turn it over to you, Tony, to uh go over a couple of more things about this and then we'll go ahead and, and move forward. All right, thank you, Mr. Chairman. So item B in your packet, this is a list of 422 unbudgeted positions. Basically, these positions are positions that the agencies have currently that are unbudgeted, they're not paying for these positions to EBD. So the, um, Depending on what happens with this, uh, With this list of positions here in just a minute, these positions would go away, they would, it would have no effect on EBD if you eliminate these positions. Alright, Mr. Chairman. All right, uh, I need a motion. We got a motion over here, uh, Senator Gilmore. OK, you're sorry about that. It took a minute to find the right. Thank you, Mr. Chair and I, I have two motions, so let's hear the first motion. We'll start with the first one. I move that we adopt the item B spreadsheet titled unbudgeted positions to be eliminated in lieu of adopting Act 796 report or the positions listed in the personnel committee reports as eliminated by the position request. That's a, that's a good motion. Can I get a second? Got a second. Is there any discussion? OK, very well. You recognize. Go ahead. All right, thank you. Uh, Tony, are these the same positions that are contained in the other reports that we have today from the agencies or is this different? These positions, some of them are in the reports that we have. Some of them were part of Act 796. But this list in and of itself, this particular list is the are the only positions that are part of this motion at the moment. And the, as the motion was, was said, It would be this is in lieu of Act 796, and it is in lieu of any of the positions shown as positions not recommended. In the reports that we're going over, so staff will continue to skip over those sections of positions to be eliminated in the, uh, personnel committee reports. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Representative Beatty, you're recognized. Just a question, uh, Senator Gilmore's motion was that the same motion that Representative Jean offered. No. No, it wasn't. Senator Jean was not recognized. Oh, OK, my bad. OK, you're back. Any other questions? I, I just one question, is he a representative or a senator? No, I don't know yet. Uh Anyway, ain't see no other questions. All those in favor say aye, aye. Any opposed? Guys have it. Senator Gilmore, I believe you've got another motion. I do. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we release the agencies held during the October 22nd personnel meeting with the executive recommendation not including the eliminated position requests listed in the personnel committee reports, the unbudgeted positions to be eliminated, spreadsheet that was just adopted shall provide the only list of positions to be eliminated moving forward. That's a proper motion. Do I have a second? Second, any discussion? And I would just, I would just like to add, I think with some of the discussion we've had, there's, there may be, uh, and, and the chair may want to speak more to this, but perhaps there's a study that will be looking at this, reviewing this as we, uh, go through this process into the session, um, so I think that'll be an ongoing, um, discussion to have if, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Chair. That is correct on this, but the, the. Again, these positions that there was, there's two different types. There's the, the budget positions and the unbudge the the budget positions are the ones that create the concern because the impact that it could have on EBD, the insurance and everything, and so when it was recognized how significant that impact could be. There was meetings last week and basically the result of those meetings was move forward with the unbudgeted positions. Let's go ahead and and cut those and remove those from the agencies. And then continue to, to uh look at this policy. Of, of using these uh unbudgeted positions in order to to help with our insurance and things again, there's nothing illegal about it, which some people would think, how did you do that? Well. As far as I can tell it's magic and that's all right, but anyway, it's something that has been legal, legal to do, but we don't know for sure if that's the kind of policy we want to pursue and that's why this, we have to sit down, we have to look at it and that's gonna happen between now and the and the next session next year. And then hopefully uh there will be a good solid answer as far as how we can move forward. Are there any other questions on this? Seeing none All in favor of the motion, say aye. In the opposed? The motion carries. Now we're gonna move on to bat C. Tony, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, we're on item C, uh, items C1 through C6, which is administrative office of the courts, Office of the Attorney General, auditor of state, lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and the Department of Correction Sentencing Commission are all batch agencies. This means the agencies have no changes whatsoever. So, uh, with the committee's approval, we can send them out, uh, all at once with one vote. We're gonna batch these unless I see an objection, seeing no objections. Then do I get a motion for executive motion? Do I get a second? Got a second Any discussion All in favor, say I. Any opposed? The ayes have it. OK. You recognize Mr. Chairman, committee members, in your packet, we're going to item D, um, but in your packet there's some standalone, uh, pages, they're basically handouts they're already in the packet. There were some issues that we had to resolve and everything was already printed, so we've just put them into your packet. So, uh, for instance, item G, the loose piece of paper that's item G when you get there, that is the correct report that you want to be looking at and the staff will kind of point you in that direction as well, but I just wanted everybody to be aware. All right, Mr. Angel, recognize, please identify yourself, and you may begin. Yes sir, Bart Angel Bureau of Legislative Research. Uh, item D is the court of appeals begins on page 7 of your packet, Act 51 of 2024 authorized in 49 positions. Their only request is a title change. If you look on line 8, you'll see that, uh, executive assistant to Court of Appeals to a deputy court administrator. Uh, position numbers stayed the same at 49, and Mr. Chairman, that's all I've got for Court of Appeals. Very well. Do we have any questions on IMD? Um Saying no questions, do I have a motion? Got a motion to have a 2nd 2nd any discussion? All in favor say aye. All any opposed. I just have it, all right, Tony, go ahead. Or sorry, Mr. Angel, you go ahead. Yes, sir. Item E begins on page 8. It's the governor's office. Act 33 of 2024 authorized them 60 positions and as Tony mentioned, we're going to pass over the eliminated positions. Uh, they won reclass, uh, governor's office administrative assistant too. To a governor's office senior executive assistant. Uh, the result is a request of 60 positions, and Mr. Chairman, that's all I've got for the governor's office. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions for the governor's office or the staff. See no questions. Do I have a motion? Got a motion. Do I have a second? Got a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. And he opposed Yeah I have it. All right, continue. Mr. Chairman, the governor's mansion is item F. It begins on page 9. Act 29 of 2024, uh, authorized 10 positions. The only changes the requested elimination, but we're passing over those, so, uh, brings the request to 10 positions and that's all I have for them. All right, thank you, sir. Do you have any questions? Seeing no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion. Can I get a second? Got a second any discussion. Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Any opposed? The eyes have it. You recognize, sir? Mr. Chairman, item G is one of the, uh, loose page, uh, inserts that Tony just mentioned. It's the land commissioner. Act 144 of 2024 authorizing 41 positions. They're requesting a new title, the director of government affairs. You'll see that on line 9 there in your report. On line 19, they're requesting new position, Director of government affairs. This fills the new title that I just, just mentioned, the line out of Max with the for this position would be $92,00081. And it brings their request to 42 positions, an increase of the one I just mentioned, Mr. Chairman, that's all I have for land commission. All right, thank you, sir. Do we have any questions for staff or the agency? Seeing no questions, can I get a motion? Got a motion, got a second. In the discussion All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Continue, sir. Adam H is on page 11. It's legislative audit. Act 127 to 2024 authorizing 295 positions. On line 90 your report, you'll see a requested new title, Legislative audit, IT Security Officer at IT 11. They're requesting a new position, uh, legislative audit, IT security officer that's to fill the new title I just mentioned, and that's on line 14. There's no other changes and brings, uh, leg audit to 296, an increase of the one. Uh, new position, that's all I have. Do you have any questions? Seeing no questions. Can I get a motion? Second, got a 2nd. Any discussion All in favor say aye. Any opposed? I have it. Continue, sir. Amaya begins on page 12. It's the Bureau of Legislative Research. Act 158 of 2024 authorized him 134 positions. There's no position changes, but there's a piece of personnel related special language. It's on page 13. Section 8 is continuing language that allows the bureau director to utilize a specific set of classifications. Mr. Chairman, that's all I've got for the bureau. Very well. Do you have any questions? Seeing no questions. Can I get a motion. I got a motion. Got a second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. And he opposed, I have it. You recognize sir? Adam J begins on page 15. It's a prosecutor coordinator. Act 1188 of 2024 authorized them 18 positions, and this includes 3 from the growth pool that got into their act, uh, during the budgeting cycle. You'll see these lines 89, and 10. It's 2 certified facility dog handler 2s and one certified facility dog handler won. Again, these made in their act they are included in the 18, keeps their request at 18, and that's all I have for them, Mr. Chairman. Very well Yes, sir. Oh You're recognized Thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh, is Mr. McMahon here? Bob, could you come forward? Mr. Chairman, I think this requires a little bit more explanation, so that's why I wanted Mr. McMahon to come up. Thank you for what you said, Mr. Angel, but I'll. Bob McMahon, prosecutor coordinator. OK. Bob, would you explain to me about dog handlers and your jurisdiction yes sir. I, I'm not really sure what you want to know. I can talk about the program. I, I explained this issue. I just need to know what's going on. Yes, sir, um, back in 2015, the legislature created the authority for prosecuting attorney to use a certified facility dog to assist child victims under the age of 18 in 2021. OK. I wanted to make sure this was separate from what law enforcement officers. would be a dog. This is for the, I'm gonna call them the, uh, calming dogs for lack of a better word, yes, Senator, and, and again you all expanded that to be used also for any, uh, disabled adults so we can use them for any witness now or victim in any criminal case trying to keep that separate from what we used to call canine totally, totally, totally separate. I wanna make sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. McMahon. Thank you, Mr. Angel. Any other questions for staff? Or for the agency. Seeing no other, you got another question? All right, got a motion, got a 2nd. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? I just have it. Thank you, sir. Item K is the next item and it's another one of those, uh, agencies that has the loose page. Tony mentioned it's the Supreme Court. Act 160 of 2024 authorized them 76 positions. They're requesting a new title and that's on line 9. It's a Supreme Court administrative assistant OPC at GSO 7. I'm moving down to line 16, there's one reclass Supreme Court investigator OPC to a Supreme Court administrative assistant OPC both are GSO 7s, this new title or this new position, this reclass is gonna be the new title that I just mentioned. Uh, these are the only changes, uh, leaving their positions at 76, Mr. Chairman, that's all I have for the Supreme Court. Thank you, sir. Any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion 2nd 2nd discussion. Seeing the discussion, all in favor say aye. And he opposed Yeah I always have it. You recognize her? I'm ill because I'm page 17 is the treasurer's office. Act 142 of 2024 authorized in 33 positions. There's a new title on line 9, treasurer Assistant 5. Uh, they're requesting line item maximum increases for 5 positions. These are on lines 14 through 18 of the first page. Uh, Chief of government affairs, uh, to 110, uh, director of investment accounting to 130. Chief technology officer to 1:30, Chief Public Affairs to 110 and assistant 3 to 51 686. They wish to better line their chief and, uh, director positions. There's the reason for this request. Now there are 4 title changes. They're on lines 23, 24, and 25 on the first page of the report and then the last one's on line 5 of the second, uh, these title changes of director of government affairs and special projects to a chief government affairs. Executive assistant to operations coordinator. Director of 529 uh Financial Education to the Chief Public Affairs and the CFO to the Chief Legal coun. Have one growth pool position that's on line 10 of the second page. It's executive assistant to the treasurer and like the three at prosecutor coordinator made it into their act, so it's not, it's already in the 33 that they have. There are 7 reclasses, uh, they start on line 17 at page 2 and finish out their report. Uh, the net of these changes is a request of 33 positions. There is a piece of special language. It's section 5, and it's continuing language that allows colas to treasure personnel, allows uh increases at the treasurer's discretion and a merit pay program. Mr. Chairman, that's all I have for them. Thank you, sir. All right, I see a question over here. Senator Rice. Yes You recognize Senator Rice? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, can we have somebody come up and give us some explanation on this. I'm sorry, Senator Rice, I missed that. Can we have, here they go. OK. State your name and your position and you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm Stephen Bright. I'm chief of staff for the Treasury. Thank you. I'm Jackie Baker. I'm the HR director for the treasurer's office. Senator Rice, thank you. Can you give us some background on this. We're, we're bumping 18%. increase and you give us some justification. On the I apologize. On the, uh, the specifically on the governmental affairs position, is that what you're? Asking about the biggest ones I'll be glad for you to just go down through there. OK. Um, the Uh governmental affairs is going to a chief position. Um, all of the positions in the executive team, uh, these two positions were at director positions, which were, um, the chiefs, um, the chief of staff, the chief, uh, deputy chief legal counsel. These were the two positions that were not included in the, the executive team, they are now, they've always been a part of the executive team, but they were less salaried than directors, um, these are. advisors to the treasurer, um, and again, part of the executive team. I'm not politically correct, you ever heard the term too many chiefs, not enough Indians. Yes, sir, and I'm serious and the fact that We, we've got workers that do the job every day. And, and yet we keep. Popping pretty good increases. On key people and I realized you got to have key people when treasury is important. But it concerns me when I see a big increase to kind of demoralizes some that didn't work underneath that, uh. You, you really concerned with that? Well, these were also, we, we compared positions to other agencies, other constitutional officers, and that's really where we came up with our, uh, comparing the work that they do, uh, comparing their, um, their duties, um, their traveled there, um, their advice to the treasurer and again, we did a comparison to other agencies and other constitutional offices. And really these are at the lower end of a, uh, those type of positions. OK. Uh, see if there's any more questions. If not, I'll have a motion proper time. Do we have any more questions? You recognize. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Can you explain again the need for those really, I guess I'm looking at the two positions that. Chief government affairs and the director of investment, those are going up 17 over 17% in, I, I'm assuming we're gonna probably end up with a new treasurer here after the next week or two would, would that not be something that an incoming treasurer would want to take a look at and see whether or not those, uh, amounts of an increase are warranted. Uh, we certainly can, I mean, that, that would be. something that a new treasurer could do. We've been working on these positions for almost a year trying to get, uh, and, and it goes back to uh the evaluations with other um. Other agencies, it just took some time, but this is what we have wanted to do for and, and it's not changing their duties, it's not changing. This is just changing the, uh, the titles and with their duties in line with everybody else, and I know at one time this office had two deputy chiefs of staff, is that still the case? No, sir. There's one chief of staff position eliminated or did that person get moved into another position. It was eliminated. Uh, do you know of any other, um, Similar job titles that received the same amount of an increase or requested that kind of increase? Um, it would, those positions in other agencies are. pretty much already there as far as that salary and that's how we came to these salaries is we compared them to other agencies and other um constitutional offices. Some were a lot higher, some were lower. Um, we compared what are the size of our agency, uh, again, the job duties, uh, I used to sit in the director of governmental affairs and, uh, special projects, um, special projects for a lot of, of the, the title. in the role and so we just felt with the comparison that's where those positions needed to be. So is, is that the special projects is now just going to be Chief government affairs? All right. Thank you for the informa. Do I have any other questions? See I believe Senator Rice, you wanted to be, uh, make a motion. You and I apologize. I couldn't be here this morning. I just got here just a minute ago, but uh I've talked to some colleagues. I, I, uh, as we hold this for now, we've still got some time. whole list I've got some more discussion on to check into. Motion is to hold this. Do I have a second? I do have a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Yes, sir. OK, sorry about that. I do have a question. You recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Rice, do you have a, is this an indefinite hold or do you have an idea of how long you'd want to keep the whole line. You recognize how they were having an indefinite hole because usually I don't, if I don't take it off the budget chair just released. OK. Alright, just, we'll try to get some answers. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any other questions? All right, let's try it again. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Guys have it, we will hold it. Thank you. Next time you'll recognize, sir. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Item M is on page 22. It's the Department of Inspector General or dig? Act 165 of 2024 authorized 69 positions. They gained 2 in a 2 for 3 swap in the interim. It will be, those will be on lines 8 and 9. They got an agency controller one and an admin services manager for an auditor, fiscal support supervisor and a public information specialist. Uh, passing through, uh, over the eliminations. There are 9 reclasses and you'll see them starting on line 24 and those go to the end of Digg's report. This brings Digg to 68 positions and that's down one that they, uh, gave up in that uneven swap. Mr. Chairman, that's all I've got. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion 2nd. Got a second? Any discussion? All in favor say aye. In your post The eyes have it Thank you, sir. Mr. All right, Mr. Worth, when you take your seat, identify yourself and you're recognized. Spencer Werth Bureau of Legislative Research. Our members were on item N. this is Department of Commerce, beginning with N1. This is the administration Shared Services Division. I'm on page 24. Divisions currently authorized for 48 positions. We'll begin with their pool positions. This is line 8 through 11. In the interim, added a chief workforce officer, that's line 8, commerce Chief of Staff that was added through the SWAT pool and a one for one swap. And then ACOM chief legal counsel too, that's also a one for one swap and then same for the chief fiscal officer that was added in a one for one swap. Uh, per the motion on item B, we'll skip over the eliminated positions and move on to reclasses. I'm now on page 25. And you'll see 7 reclasses, that's done through executive recommendation. It's lines 11 through 17 on the report there. And that concludes my presentation on administration Shared Services. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion, a 2nd. Any discussion Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Any opposed I have it. Thank you, sir. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. This is A 2, page 26 in your packet. Currently has 55 authorized positions in this division. Uh, in the interim, you'll see these pool changes here that's lines 89, and 10. These were added through the SWAT pool and a 34 swap. And skip over the eliminations and move on to reclassifications lines 24 and 25. These are done through executive recommendation, and that concludes my presentation on Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Any questions? See no questions. Can I have a motion? Got a motion. Got a second. In discussion Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Any opposed? The eyes have it. You recognize sir? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to division of aeronautics. This is item N3, page 28 in your packet. Uh, division currently has 5 authorized positions. There's only one change here, uh, in the interim, they added a business operations manager through the growth pool that was in March of this year. Uh, agencies requesting continuation of this and the executive, uh, provides a recommendation for that, and that concludes my presentation on aeronautics, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Any questions? Got a motion. We got a 2nd. Any discussion? So you know, discussion all in favor say aye. And he opposed Yeah I always have it. You recognize sir? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to the state bank department. This is item N4, page 29 in your packet. The, uh, bank department's currently authorized 78 positions. Uh, you'll, we'll begin here with their, uh, interim changes you'll see on online 8, they added a state database administrator Lee, this was through the SWAT pool, and then the remaining positions were all added through the growth pool in the interim. Agencies requesting continuation of these and executive uh recommends that and then ending the report here, you'll see. reclassifications on lines 23 and 24, and this is done through executive recommendation, and that concludes my presentation on the bank department, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Any questions? See no questions motion? Got a motion. Got a 2nd. We got a 2nd Any discussion Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Any opposed? You guys have it. You recognize sir? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. This is item N5, page 31, in your packet. The AEDC is currently authorized 85 positions. Again, we'll skip over those eliminations and move on to reclassifications. That begins on line 16 of page 31, and then there is one that goes over on a page 32, there's 12 of those total, those are reclassed through executive recommendation, that's all I have for AADC, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? So you know questions, can I have motion? Got a motion Second Got a second In the discussion opposed, I have it. You recognize, sir? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to the state insurance department. This is item N6, page 33 in your packet. The insurance department's currently authorized 190 positions. We'll begin with their interim changes, line 89, and 10, those were added through a 3 for 3 swap in the interim, and then 1112, and 13 are all MFG positions. Agencies requesting the continuation of these in the executive recommends that. Again, we'll skip over those eliminations and move on to page 34, looking at some reclassifications done through executive recommendation. There's 7 of them begin on line 12 on page 34, and that concludes my presentation on the state insurance department, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion. 2nd. Got a second. In discussion, no discussion, all in favor say aye. And he opposed? The ayes have it. You recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on to Arkansas rehabilitation services. This is, uh, item N7, page 35 in your packet. We will skip over those eliminations, that's the next 2.5 pages, so moving on to page 37. And you'll see here the only, uh, change. I believe, yes, the only change uh being recommended through executive recommendation is reclassification of 31 positions. Let's begin on line 16 of 37 and move on to the end of their report, and that concludes my presentation on Arkansas rehabilitation services, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Do we have any questions? Seeing no questions, can I have a motion? Got a motion. Got a second. Any discussion, I don't see any discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? You guys have it. You're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair, moving on to the state securities department. On item N3, this is page 40 in your packet. The Securities department's currently authorized 35 positions. We'll begin with the interim change in the interim, they utilize the SWAT pool and added a AO securities examiner supervisor and a 1 for 2 swap. Agency is requesting a continuation of this position and the executive recommends that and then we do have some reclasses as well. Those begin on line 15 of your report. There are 6 of those positions total. And that concludes my presentation on state Securities department, Mr. Chair. Committee, do we have any questions? I don't see any questions. Can I have a motion? Got a motion, got a 2nd. Any discussion All in favor say aye. Any opposed? You always have it. Thank you, sir. Thank you Mr. Chair, moving on to the Arkansas Waterways Commission. This is item N9, page 41 in your packet. The, uh, waterways commission currently has 2 authorized positions and they did have an interim change. They added a business operations manager. This is on line 8 in a SWAT pool and a 1 for 2 agencies requesting a continuation of this and the executive recommends that and that is the conclusion of my presentation on water waste commission, Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir. Do you have any questions? Seeing no questions. Can I have a motion? Got a motion. Got a second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed Guys have it, you recognize, sir? Thank you, Mr. Chair, for item N10, division of Workforce Services, there's a separate handout for them. Uh, if you were still on the packet, you'd probably see bold page numbers, uh, at the bottom, that is not the correct report for them. It's a separate handout I'll give everyone a minute to get there. Again, this is Autumn in 10 division of Workforce Services. You'll see page one of 11 at the bottom there. And the division currently has 782 authorized positions. We'll begin with interim changes they utilize their growth pool as authorized under Arkansas Code 1110, 310E and added 26 positions. And they are requesting continuation of theses are found on page 1 and 2 of your report and the executive recommends a continuation of those 26 positions. And then a bulk here of their uh report is going to be eliminated position. So if you would, uh, since we're skipping over those, go to page 11. is the 2nd to last page in that packet. And move on to reclassifications. There's 6 of them. Begins on line 14 again at page 11 of 11, 6 of those positions, that's done through executive recommendation. And then please note uh on line 23, we added a note, position number 22093307, a physical support specialist was inadvertently left out of PAS and should be added back into the agency's authorized number of positions. And Mr. Chair, I do have a piece of special language here, uh, that is personnel related, uh, this is, it says page 64, it's the last page of the packet. Uh, a couple of things. This is just updating the fiscal year and this piece of special language, uh, authorizes the appropriates, uh, for the division, uh, extra help positions and it's reducing it from 433 positions to 50. And again also updates the fiscal year and that piece of special language and the executive recommends the agency's requests. And that concludes my presentation on division of Workforce Services. Thank you, sir. Do you have any questions? See no questions. Can I have a motion? Got a motion, get a second. Got a second? In discussion I'm sorry I missed you, Representative Wotton. Do you have a question? You're recognized I noticed on uh item 4 on page one. It shows agency requests 807. Executive recommendation 617. Is there anyone here from the governor's office or someone else want to address that, or can you, can you address that? OK, Miss Barnhill. You recognize, ma'am? Yes, Barnhill Office of Personnel Management. um, those positions, Mr. were all in the 690 in the 796. Those positions were tied up with the 796 recommendations here and so that's why we did not recommend them because they had not been used for quite a while since we're not eliminating all those positions, the numbers will change here accordingly, because they were on, they were budgeted and unbudgeted positions from workforce services. Do you know, and this may be beyond your purview, but do you know if they have worked out the problems or challenges that they had down there as a result. of COVID and all the unemployment payments that were delayed and uh No, sir, I am not totally aware of that. They do have representatives here. Can we hear from. Can, can, uh, the representative workforce, please come forward. If you would identify yourself and who you work for. Alison Hatfield, Chief of Staff, Department of Commerce, uh, Christian Roseberry, the director of the division of re-employment for the Division of Workforce Services. Steven Gee CFO DOS, thank you. Representative Wooton, if you would restate your question. My question is, um, The executive recommendation was 617. The agency was 807 and I'm concerned about the backlog as a result of what we got into and COVID and then the computer system was 25 years old and my phone's ringing off the hook when people want to know where their employment check was, and I'm sure yours was too, and, you know, um, so is all that been resolved, I mean. So, we, we have cleared our backlog. Um, we have cleared all of our Department of Labor associated findings with the CARES Act specifically. Um, there will be ongoing work to continue to, um, collect on overpaid benefits and to go after fraudulent, um, individuals to be able to reclaim those funds. OK, that was my, that was my next question. We had a lot of fraudulent activity and you all are. still investigating and looking into those. Yes, sir, as they arise, um, you'll see, um, we've had several audit findings due to the relaxed requirements during COVID, and we do continue to, um, follow threads and find additional claims that are fraud, and as we're able to identify those bad actors, we do set those up for collection and then actively collect. OK, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Representative Springer, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, thank you all for being here. Uh, Representative Wooton, I'm surprised, maybe this is will be taken up in a special language on tomorrow, but on page 64 of the special language, we had 433 extra help help persons and it's gone down to 50 is what the language is gonna change. Is there an explanation from 4:33 to 50? So an explanation for that is, of course, during the pandemic, we did have to bring on a ridiculous amount of extra help because of that very significant volume with the changes that we're making with the UI modernization effort. We do not foresee needing that number of staff. We do believe that the 50 will be able to handle that, um, in the unemployment insurance program currently, we have 6 part-time people, um, and we're able to maintain with that right now and then as those UI modernization um efforts are, are. are seen and, and realized, uh, we, we do expect for us to have additional, um, shifts and positions where we would need less people to do the same work. Thank you. Any other questions for the agency or the staff. Seeing no other questions, uh, thank you very much, agency for coming up. With no other questions, can I get a motion? Got a motions, got a second. In the discussion. Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. And he opposed The eyes have it. Thank you, sir. Good afternoon, Miss Brown. All right, good to have you here. If you would take a moment, recognize yourself. Barbara Brown, Bureau of Legislative Research and you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're gonna start with the Department of Corrections Administration and shared services. Which is gonna be on page 54. Uh, there are authorized positions are 215 positions authorized, they had a SWAT pool where they, they surrendered 12 positions to get 9 positions. They also had a growth pool where the added 9 positions and the executive recommendation for recommendation provides for the agency requests of the 18 growth pool positions. There were also 16 reclassifications. There's also special language for this. It begins on page 57. The special language deals with medical, dental health services concern a contingent positions and Act 49 section 16, this language is being deleted. Also on page 58 deals with holiday compensation Act 49 Section 19, this language may need to be adjusted during the session based on titles and grades and class and comp also there's a date change change the date from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025 and from June 30, 2025 to June 30th, 2026. Also on page 61. I'm sorry to go back to page 59 we're gonna admit 59 to 60 we're gonna admit that language that language is gonna be discussed in special language. They were gonna go back to page 61 which is regular salaries, contented positions as Act 49 section 34, and this language is being eliminated. And that concludes my presentation for this business there, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, ma'am. Do we have any questions? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mrs. Brown, on page, uh, 55. You have, uh, reclassification for a correctional sergeants were those officers employed as correction officers and you're promoting them too, uh, correctional sergeants in, and they're going the internal affairs group is that or are they in there now and you're just promoting them. Could we, could we get the agency to come up and answer that question? Come on up, sir. Please identify yourself and you're recognized. White Hodge Department of Corrections. Nicholas Stuart, Department of Corrections. I apologize, Mr. Brown. I got confused between you and the bureau of Legislative Research in the agency. Gentlemen, let me, let me restate the question. Are the officers currently that you're changing, are you changing their title to internal affairs, um, Or are the regular officers now and you're moving them into uh correctional sergeant's positions. Representative Wooton, they were internal affairs and they were transferred over to sergeants now they're going back to their original titles in internal affairs. And internal affairs. Yes, sir. OK. My next question is on the uh On page 58 in the special language you received in uh information for Uh, authorized employee, uh, pay extra pay, unpaid unused holidays and that type of thing, you, this majors captains, lieutenants. Um Did you, where, where are we relative to the, just the regular correctional officer. Have we, have we, I know we, we helped with some of their pay and, and, uh, increased it, but have we reached the level of satisfaction satisfaction with y'all, with your ability to employ correctional officers. Well, we currently work with Ms. Barnhill and and uh all we we talk frequently regarding the pay plan, so that is in the works. So, is that, is that OK, uh, Ms. Barnhill, is that part of the new pay plan to make sure that we do something to help the situation down there. Yes, sir. We have looked at it worries me. When I see that many people in an agency of internal affairs. That, that, that does not speak highly of your ability to hire people if you have to have internal, are they strictly concentrating on situations that you question whether was judgment were used or are they used to investigate candidates for the positions at the penitentiary. Uh, no, they don't, they don't investigate the candidates for the positions. They look at things that go on internally. It could be involving employees, it could be involving inmates. Is it, is it human resources and handles that part of it? No, sir. Internal Affairs is second in human resources. in the evaluating the uh candidates that falls. So strictly internal affairs, which again in, in my Opinion is a reflection of difficulty within the ranks. That you have to have that many, uh, to investigate. Is that a fair assumption or? Well, as I said, they, they investigate things not only that might deal with employees but also things that go on with inmates and, and so that would take a significant cushion. All right. That's it, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, Representative. Any other question? Thank you, agency. I appreciate you guys coming up answering those questions. So no other questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion. 2nd, and 2nd. In discussion All in favor say aye. And he opposed Yeah I have it. You recognize, ma'am? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is Department of Corrections division of Community Correction. They were authorized 1,545 positions. They had a miscellaneous federal grant, um, for the position of, uh, DOC treatment coordinator and executive recommendation provided for this agent for this uh MFG position. They had a growth pool, they added 3 positions, uh, the a request provided for these 3 growth pool positions and they had to reclassification of two positions. That's my presentation for this agency, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, ma'am? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion, you got a 2nd. Any discussion All in favor say aye. And he opposed? The eyes have it. You recognize, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is the Department of Corrections division of Correction. They had an authorized positions of 4,527. They had swap food. They had one position, uh, the DOC victims witness coordinated this position is actually housed in shared services 9903 they surrendered two positions. They have a reclassification of 13 positions, and that is my presentation for this agency, sir. Thank you, ma'am. Do we have any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion. Got a second. In discussion, no discussion. All in favor say aye. In the opposed The eyes have it. You recognize, ma'am? Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is Department of Corrections post prison transfer board they were authorized 22 positions. A request is for 22 positions, uh, there's no special language and this is presentation for this division, Mr. Chairman. All right, thank you. Any questions? See no questions. Can I get a motion? Got a motion. Got a second in discussion, saying no discussion, all in favor say aye. And he opposed The eyes have it. You have any other business, madam? All right. Seeing no other business, we're adjourned.