Bill
SB 68
86(R) - 2019
Senate Finance
House Appropriations
Senate Finance
House Appropriations
Vote Recommendation
Yes
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
-
Positive
-
Neutral
Author(s)
Jane Nelson
Co-Author(s)
Bob Hall
Royce West
Sponsor(s)
Matt Schaefer
Bill Caption
Relating to strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
SB 68 would require the Legislative Budget Board to conduct a strategic fiscal review for each state agency subject to review under the Texas Sunset Act. This review would include, among other things: (1) a description of discrete activities, along with justification and evaluation of such activities; (2) a quantitative estimate of the adverse effects of discontinuing the discrete activities; (3) an itemized account of the expenditures necessary to maintain the activity; (4) the activities of the agency ranked by importance; and (5) a recommendation of whether the legislature should continue funding each activity. The legislature would then consider this information in regards to the appropriation process. The review would be submitted September 1 of every even-numbered year to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and members of the senate finance and house appropriations committees.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Texas Action recommends supporting SB 68 because it promotes the principle of limited government. The legislature cannot preform its functions of government without current and strategic information reporting. It is government's proper role to be efficient for and transparent to the citizens it serves, and this bill resolves to do just that.