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Bill requiring joint LFC–DFA evaluations for GROW pilots moves forward
Summary
House Bill 181 would require the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislative Finance Committee to jointly develop accountability and evaluation plans for three-year pilot programs funded from the Government Results and Opportunity (GROW) expendable trust; the bill passed committee with one member recorded in opposition.
Chair Small presented House Bill 181, saying the bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) to jointly develop accountability and evaluation plans for three‑year pilot programs funded through the GROW expendable trust. The plans would identify goals and outcomes, summarize supporting evidence, lay out evaluation and statistical-analysis methods and set reporting timelines.
Why it matters: GROW funds are intended to permit state agencies and communities to pilot evidence-based approaches without immediately committing recurring funding. The bill would make development of measurable performance plans a statutory requirement and require a final evaluation in the pilot’s last year to inform whether funding should continue.
Details from the hearing: Chairman Small said the bill is meant to formalize expectations for performance plans and evaluations. Dr. Courtney (Deputy Director, LFC) told the committee LFC has already engaged agencies that received GROW appropriations in 2024 and that appropriations made in 2024 generally cover projects through June 30, 2027. Dr. Courtney and staff said initial accountability plans would be submitted to DFA and LFC before July 1 in the year the program begins, with a final plan to be completed by September, allowing legislative analysts to track progress during the next session if needed.
Members asked procedural and timing questions. Representative Pettigrew pressed for legislative clarity and expressed a desire that the committee could adopt the specific guardrails LFC recommended last year; other members asked for copies of evaluation definitions already used in the Accountability in Government Act. Chair Small and LFC staff said the bill’s timelines are intended to align with budget and agency planning cycles and that DFA and LFC will work with agencies and community stakeholders on practical evaluation designs.
Vote and outcome: A motion and second were recorded on the bill. Committee staff stated that Representative Pettigrew was recorded in opposition and that no other opposition was recorded; the chair accepted the result and moved the bill forward for further legislative consideration.
Ending: LFC and DFA staff said they will provide committees with the templates and definitions for “evidence‑based,” “promising” and related terms, and that agencies may begin drafting accountability plans as part of their normal budget submissions to meet the July 1 timeline.
