House Bill 91

Chair's Name: Richard Royal

Committee: Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight

House Sponsor: Jill Chambers

HB 91 provides details on state agency spending by requiring each agency to submit annual reports to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee. The reports will include the following: a statement of tax revenues and operating revenues for each agency for the previous fiscal year; a statement of total expenditures made by the agency during the previous fiscal year; a list of all written contracts during the previous fiscal year for greater than $50,000; a list of employment or consultant contracts if compensation is greater than $20,000; a list of names of each person, firm, or corporation that has received greater than $20,000 in the previous fiscal year; and a list of consultant expenses and other professional expenses.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee and came to the House Floor under the Structured Rule. 

Chairman Royal's Opinion of this legislation:

 WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Appropriations and the Budget Oversight Committee need greater detail on agency spending.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Size of Government: If, upon examination of continuations, the Appropriations and Budget Oversight Committees find spending or programs that are obsolete, these reports can be used to reduce the size of government.

• Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens: MARTA now has a surplus in their budget thanks to this type of reporting.

• Increases Personal Responsibility: Makes agencies justify their spending.

House Vote: 164-0

Senate Vote:  48-0