Senate approves measure expanding workforce commission data access and counsel authority

The Senate passed Senate Bill 1771 after adopting an amendment to restore the bill's title. The author said the measure broadens the workforce commission's access to financial information related to workforce development and permits retaining outside counsel.

"Senate Bill 17 71 authorizes the workforce commission to pull more complete information from the funds allocated and expended for workforce development. Also allows them to retain outside counsel," Senator Thompson said in explaining the bill and the amendment, which he described as a restoration of the title. The amendment was adopted by unanimous consent.

With no additional questions on the floor, Senator Thompson requested advancement; the bill was advanced and placed on final reading. On the roll call the clerk reported 35 aye votes and 11 nay votes and the chair declared Senate Bill 1771 passed.

No floor debate recorded during final passage addressed implementation timelines or specific procurement steps for outside counsel; those details were not included in the floor explanation.