Bill > S861

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, mandates that the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) eliminate state agency employee positions that have been vacant for 24 consecutive months or more, by reallocating the salary funds from these unfilled positions into a budgetary reserve that can only be spent if specifically appropriated by the General Assembly. However, certain positions are exempt from this elimination, including those held open due to court orders or pending litigation, positions funded entirely by federal or other non-state funds, and those designated by the Governor for emergency preparedness. Additionally, lapsed salary funds designated for specific purposes, such as workers' compensation claims, overtime pay in 24-hour operational departments like Public Safety and Health and Human Services, critical non-personnel expenditures in Public Safety and Adult Correction, and third-party contracts for 24-hour facility staff, will not be transferred. The OSBM must report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2026, detailing all position eliminations and exclusions, including justifications. This act does not apply to the judicial or legislative branches, nor to state-funded local employees of community colleges or public school units. The bill also establishes a new statute that formally abolishes any vacant position remaining unfilled for 24 or more consecutive months, requiring agencies to notify the OSBM and the Office of State Human Resources within 30 days of a position becoming subject to abolishment, and appropriates $100,000 for the OSBM to implement these changes.