Senate passes bill to consolidate agency civil‑service systems into Division of Personnel

The committee substitute for House Bill 54 (41) was advanced to third reading and the Judiciary Committee's striking amendment was adopted. A senator outlined the bill's core changes: elimination of separate classified civil‑service systems for the Department of Transportation, Revenue and Human Services (DHHR), with transfers of job classifications and compensation structures to the Division of Personnel. "New employees within these departments will be a part of the classified exempt system, while current employees will retain their civil service status and grievance rights as long as they remain in their current positions," the senator said.

The bill was presented as a move to allow state government to "compete with the private sector for employees" by improving hiring speed and flexibility. The Senate recorded a passage vote of 28 yays and 6 nays on the bill; the presiding officer then brought an effective‑date motion (07/01/2026), which the Senate adopted by recorded vote as reflected in the transcript.

The clerk was directed to communicate the Senate action to the House. Any implementing rules and personnel‑transfer details will depend on the Division of Personnel and affected agencies for administration and grievance protections.