The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety convened on March 18, 2025, to discuss the agency's budget and staffing needs. The meeting focused on proposed budget reductions and the implications for service delivery.

The agency was tasked with identifying $64.5 million in budget reductions across all areas. A detailed list of these reductions was provided in the agency's supplemental materials. It was emphasized that since 93% of the agency's budget is allocated to contractors, vendors, and service providers, any cuts would directly affect client-facing services.

The agency also highlighted three long-term vacancies that have persisted for over 12 months, which are included in the proposed reductions. Within the executive division, the governor's recommended budget includes several new positions aimed at enhancing human resources recruitment and operational efficiency. Specifically, Package 103 proposes the addition of operation and policy analysts, while Package 106 seeks to add a manager, an executive assistant, and a government relations manager.

In the appellate division, the budget proposal includes critical staffing additions: four paralegals, four administrative specialists, two legal secretaries, and one executive assistant. These positions are intended to address ongoing challenges related to the division's performance metrics, particularly the need to reduce the time for initial filings, which has been hampered by limited support staff.

Furthermore, the compliance audit and performance division is requesting additional personnel to develop both internal and statewide policies. Package 103 includes one operations and policy analyst for internal policy development, while Package 106 seeks to add a research and data team manager and three operations and policy analysts. These roles are essential for managing case assignments from the unrepresented persons list, a critical function that has been supported by temporary positions in the past.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the agency's need for strategic staffing to maintain service levels while navigating significant budget reductions. The discussions highlighted the importance of addressing long-standing vacancies and enhancing operational capacity to improve overall performance. The committee will continue to evaluate these proposals as part of the budget review process.