Legislative Council outlines staff expansion and office‑space constraints after session

John Bjornson, Director of Legislative Council, updated the Leadership Division on an approved staff expansion and the committee’s need for additional office space.

Bjornson said the Legislative Council’s bill to add staff became effective July 1 and the council plans to hire roughly 25 positions over the coming months. Planned additions include policy analysts (with a program‑evaluation focus), an attorney, IT testers and an assistant IT director, a fiscal analyst, additional editors and administrative support. He said the council expects to recruit new graduates and candidates with economics, auditing and analytic backgrounds and will stagger hires to allow efficient group training.

On space, Bjornson said the council is at capacity on its current floor and that a governor’s veto removed a provision that would have set aside the entire 15th floor. Facilities has verbally assured the council that much of the 15th floor will be made available after current occupants relocate, but Bjornson said the timing and scope remain uncertain and that portions of the 15th floor will require renovation before use. He said some interim options include using smaller committee rooms and temporary group spaces, but these are suboptimal for long‑term staffing and training.

Committee members asked about shared conference‑room use and whether executive branch space could be shared for training and outside events; Bjornson said Legislative Council will cooperate where possible and work with facilities to minimize disruption while seeking a stable, renovated workspace that can support the expanded staff.

No formal action was taken; staff said hiring and space planning will continue and specific room allocations will be coordinated with facilities.