Commission staff outlines statutory evaluation standards, warns data and MOU delays can stall projects

Staff briefed the committee on evaluation standards referenced in the meeting packet and in statute, explaining that new programs and any program receiving more than a 25% funding increase will need a pre-analysis plan and an evaluation plan subject to the commission’s standards. Staff said the process is intended to make program metrics and data collection requirements clear before funding or expansion.

The briefing stressed two operational challenges: obtaining high-quality data from agencies and negotiating data-sharing agreements or MOUs, which can take months or over a year and stall evaluations. Staff suggested the committee could use budget language or statutory direction to encourage agency cooperation and noted peer agencies have used subpoena-like authority in limited cases, although staff did not request subpoena powers for themselves during the meeting.