Legislative Audit Committee Hearing

Wednesday, February 25, 2026·1h 39m·▶ Watch / Listen

The committee also approved two new audit requests (PACFA and Behavioral Health Administration), ratified the OSA's FY2027 budget, and voted to reappoint State Auditor Carrie Hunter to a second five-year term.

Key Actions

·CBI DNA Evidence Testing Performance Audit (February 2026)No Vote

+ 6 more actions

Controversies

Source of funds used to outsource additional DNA cases without prior legislative discussion

Representative Genna Willford asked where CBI found money to outsource an additional 500–600 cases not previously discussed with the legislature, and whether JBC authorization was needed to redirect those funds. Lance Allen responded that $300,000 came from the CBER grant and the rest from being conservative with operating budget line items and postponing purchases. Allen did not explicitly confirm or deny JBC involvement on the record. Willford added: 'I just want to caution us around making any sort of excuses as to why we're here or there was too much going on because survivors and victims have a lot going on too.'

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“, I certainly hear the comments, , that there was a lot going on and, , it was last year. And I recognize that, that this case with the scientists had major implications for the department. But I just want to take the opportunity that, ,”
Representative Jenny Willford — Willford made this statement during discussion of CBI's DNA evidence testing backlog, which reached over 2,500 cases and turnaround times exceeding 500 days, with particular impact on sexual assault victims awaiting results.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Approve preliminary research into PACFA audit requestPassed

Authorize initial research into scope of Behavioral Health Administration audit requestPassed

Approve OSA FY2027 budget with authorization to make changes as prescribed by the Executive Committee or the Joint Budget CommitteePassed

Submit Carrie L. Hunter as State Auditor to the Legislative Executive Committee for a second five-year term and for contingent approval to draft a joint resolutionPassed

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TranscriptPreview

Good morning. Welcome to the legislative audit committee. Ms. Watson, would you please call the roll? Senators and Representatives Bacon. Excused. Brooks. Excused. Johnson. Linstadt. Presentation. Pelton. Here. Wiseman. Good morning. Wilford. Here. Madam Chair. Present. Madam Chair, you have a quorum. Thank you, Ms. Watson. Members, I want to just take a moment this morning to welcome Senator Linstedt back to committee as a permanent replacement for Senator Michaelson. Genna. So welcome back. And I'd like the record to reflect, please, that Representative Bacon is here. Members, I would like to begin this morning directing your attention to Attachment A. Attachment A outlines the process for electing a new vice chair for this committee based on the rotation schedule established in the Legislative Audit Committee rules. The new vice chair will be a Democrat from the Senate. Do I have a motion to nominate a Democrat from the Senate for vice chair? Senator Linstadt. Thank you. Madam Chair. It is my privilege today to nominate my good friend from Aurora to serve as our vice chair this year. So I nominate Senator Weissman to serve as the vice chair of the Legislative Audit Committee for this term. Thank you.…

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