Bill H.67 would create joint government oversight and accountability committee, debate subpoena power deferred

Legislative counsel Mr. Devlin told the House Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 25, that H.67 "is an act relating to legislative operations and government accountability" and would create a Joint Government Oversight and Accountability Committee to examine whether state programs are achieving their policy goals.

The bill would set membership, duties and powers for a joint committee intended to "systematize government accountability efforts" by focusing on evidence, performance measures and follow-up. It also would move the default deadline for agency reports to the legislature from January 15 to November 15 and update the legislative reports database.

Supporters say the bill aims to give the Legislature a standing body to examine program failures and follow up on audit recommendations. "The committee shall exercise government oversight by examining and investigating matters of significant public concern relating to…