(Feb. 10, 2026) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee met to continue discussions and consider amendments to their budget position. The committee discussed the following proposed amendments:

Attorney General's Office:

• Proviso language for the Office of the Attorney General that would allow an RFP for an Inspector General for AI to flag possible fraud, waste and abuse, with expenditures of up to $30,000.
• Nine positions in the Office of Inspector General were reduced to six positions, with a $100,000 reduction in funding in fiscal year 2026.
• The committee reduced other full-time employees and related expenditures in FYs 2026 and 2027.

Department of Administration:

• Any agency shall provide a non-governmental organization's report on any entity that receives more than $50,000 in State General Funds, including information for the previous five years. The report must include the organization's legal name, address, the number of years and the total amount the organization has received and require the organization to submit a copy of the IRS Form 990.
• If tax clearance is denied and a possible employee applies in 2026 or 2027, the employee must be provided with information and allowed to permit the agency to offer conditional employment if the only reason for not employing is a tax clearance denial.
• Performance-based contracts and payments stating any award would receive a 50 percent award up front, then be required to report on outcomes.
• The committee added a few other provisions related to state operations generally.

The committee will continue work on budgets throughout the week.