Committee clears bill standardizing cabinet titles after DGO consolidation

Representative Thurston told the committee HB 384 is a technical cleanup bill to reflect the merger of divisions into the Department of Government Operations and to standardize titles across the executive branch.

"This bill is ... the Department of Government Operations cleanup bill," the sponsor said, describing consolidation of DTS, Finance and DHRM into DGO and the need to adjust statutory references.

Committee members asked whether changing titles would confuse the public or blur the difference between gubernatorial appointees and citizen commissions. Marvin Dodge, executive director of Government Operations, said the governor's office proposed making cabinet-level officials 'commissioners' to align titles with other states while boards that are currently called commissions may later be relabeled 'boards' with board chairs and members.

Senator Vickers moved to recommend first substitute House Bill 384 favorably; the sponsor waived closing and the committee voted in favor. The chair recorded the action as unanimously passed out of committee.