The Department of Administration's director briefed the committee on a remote‑work and workspace study and on a prioritized deferred‑maintenance plan for the State Capitol complex and other state‑owned buildings.

Study and telework approach

Director Missy Ann Giles said the state used interviews and employee surveys after the 2020 pandemic to gauge who needs to be in‑office and how frequently. The study established a data‑driven telework policy that generally assumes two to three remote days for many employees, with a small share of roles (IT and similar) allowed up to four remote days.

Giles said the administration used that analysis to determine how many seats are necessary when agencies consolidate leases, and highlighted a goal of permanently vacating several off‑Capitol leases to save operating costs.

Deferred maintenance and capital planning

• Backlog and priorities: Giles said the Capital Complex has roughly $80 million in deferred‑maintenance needs across HVAC, plumbing, electrical and interior systems. She identified key buildings—Cogswell, Mitchell, Walt Sullivan and Metcalf—as the current focus and described an objective to complete phased renovations and then permanently vacate external leases.

• Funding history and request: Giles said the administration sought $10 million as seed funding in 2021 and received $50 million in 2023; the governor’s budget requests an additional $50 million to complete planned renovations and lease consolidations.

• Implementation: The director said detailed design and sequencing work is underway; members asked for schedules and phasing information so the committee can judge near‑term and long‑term cost implications.

Ending

The committee requested project timelines, lists of leases to be vacated and a clearer accounting of projected operating‑cost savings once consolidation is complete. No formal appropriation vote occurred in the session segment.