BLR to hire WorkEd Consulting to support Act 145 study and 2027 workforce legislation
March 19, 2026 | 2026 Legislature AR, Arkansas
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The Bureau of Legislative Research will contract with WorkEd Consulting to support the hospital Medicaid developmental-disability subcommittee's study required by Act 145 and to help prepare legislation for the 2027 session, members of the Executive Subcommittee agreed by voice vote.
Representative Mary Bentley introduced the proposed contract and said the consultant will help the subcommittee translate audit findings into legislative solutions and begin stakeholder meetings in the short timeline before the 2027 session. "We have seen what the problem is, but we would ask assistance from this group to help us figure out the solution to get move forward so that we have good legislation for the 2027 session," Bentley said.
Senator Jane English and others described WorkEd's national experience; the transcript records that the firm has worked in Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi and Virginia on related workforce-system reforms. Jill Thayer of the Bureau of Legislative Research said the contract would be between the Bureau and WorkEd Consulting for use by the hospital Medicaid developmental-disability subcommittee, begin after full council approval and continue through June 30, 2027. Thayer said the contract's total maximum amount will be $158,000 and that WorkEd plans to use subcontractors who previously assisted the committee with the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
Senator Gilmore asked about WorkEd's prior work in other states and about subcontracting; speakers said Mason Bishop and others who previously assisted on related work will participate. The subcommittee moved, seconded and approved the contract; the transcript shows a voice vote with the chair announcing the ayes had it and no individual tallies recorded.
The contract is intended to give the committee access to consultants and subcontractors who can help design and refine workforce and training legislation based on audit findings and stakeholder input ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
Representative Mary Bentley introduced the proposed contract and said the consultant will help the subcommittee translate audit findings into legislative solutions and begin stakeholder meetings in the short timeline before the 2027 session. "We have seen what the problem is, but we would ask assistance from this group to help us figure out the solution to get move forward so that we have good legislation for the 2027 session," Bentley said.
Senator Jane English and others described WorkEd's national experience; the transcript records that the firm has worked in Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi and Virginia on related workforce-system reforms. Jill Thayer of the Bureau of Legislative Research said the contract would be between the Bureau and WorkEd Consulting for use by the hospital Medicaid developmental-disability subcommittee, begin after full council approval and continue through June 30, 2027. Thayer said the contract's total maximum amount will be $158,000 and that WorkEd plans to use subcontractors who previously assisted the committee with the Georgia Center for Opportunity.
Senator Gilmore asked about WorkEd's prior work in other states and about subcontracting; speakers said Mason Bishop and others who previously assisted on related work will participate. The subcommittee moved, seconded and approved the contract; the transcript shows a voice vote with the chair announcing the ayes had it and no individual tallies recorded.
The contract is intended to give the committee access to consultants and subcontractors who can help design and refine workforce and training legislation based on audit findings and stakeholder input ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
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