Committee sets new deadline and funding for statewide general‑assistance database

The committee on Feb. 19 amended LD 1996 to change the deadline for the Department of Health and Human Services to implement a statewide, real‑time general assistance (GA) database and added specific funding to cover development and ongoing costs.

Staff explained the statutory requirement for an online GA database originally had a July 1, 2025 compliance date that DHHS could not meet. Director Ian Yaffe told the panel that DHHS launched an RFP in August 2024 and received bids ranging from roughly $772,000 to $5.8 million for the initial two‑year performance period; excluding the highest and lowest bids produced an average one‑time build estimate of approximately $2.7 million and an average annual operating cost of about $438,000. A separate proposal the department received this past fall suggested a $200,000 one‑time cost and $600,000 in annual operations.

Yaffe said the office estimates a funding need of roughly $2.8 million one‑time plus about $450,000 annually to build and operate the database and that procurement, stakeholder engagement and development would take roughly two years. Committee members agreed to amend LD 1996 to change the statutory compliance date to July 1, 2028 and to add an appropriations and allocations section for $2,800,000 one‑time and $450,000 ongoing. Representative Sam Zager moved the amendment "ought to pass as amended," and the committee approved the motion.

Members urged DHHS to return progress reports and the committee asked staff to include reporting language so the panel could track procurement milestones if the Legislature appropriates the funds. Lawmakers emphasized they support a statewide database but said the state must provide the appropriation in order for procurement to proceed.