JBC narrows capital construction list, keeps Clark Building and trims controlled maintenance; splits on IT HRIS funding

The Joint Budget Committee moved to scale back capital construction projects as part of balancing and to prioritize continuation projects while pausing lower‑priority items.

On controlled maintenance, Vice Chair Bridges and staff proposed drawing the funding line after the Clark Building and funding controlled maintenance projects up to score 4. JBC staff said drawing the line at score 4 would save about $71.5 million and still fund 18 projects; “If you fund everything that had through a score of 4, you would save $71,500,000,” JBC staff Andrea Ewell summarized. Motion to adopt the Clark Building exception and fund controlled maintenance up to score 4 passed 6–0.

Separately, the committee debated several IT capital projects. Members questioned a newly added statewide Human Resources Information System (HRIS) request — asking what the system does, whether it duplicates existing department systems, and whether it comes from the WINS agreement. Andrew McLear, JBC staff, said the HRIS would centralize segmented HR systems that currently prevent consistent employee data collection. After discussion and requests for additional documentation, the committee voted 4–2 to draw the IT funding line at project 9 (excluding projects beyond that line), with Rep Taggart and Senator Kirkmeyer recorded as objecting.

Committee members asked staff to provide more detailed lists of projects above and below the cut line so members could review project‑level impacts before final appropriation. The capital choices were recorded as approved for drafting and inclusion in transfer bills as directed.

Next steps: staff to provide project‑level lists by score and return with bill language and cost estimates for the chosen cuts and exceptions.