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Representative proposes study committee to overhaul fiscal notes and LBA workload
Summary
Rep. Chris Muns told the committee that fiscal notes often capture only near-term agency costs and miss broader benefits; he proposed a bipartisan study committee to review statutory thresholds, LBA staffing and guidance for fuller cost-benefit analysis.
Rep. Chris Muns told the committee he began HB 157 after discussions with the Legislative Budget Assistant and other members and that current fiscal notes often show only direct agency costs rather than a fuller economic picture.
"To assist us with that responsibility, certain bills we consider are accompanied by a fiscal note," Muns said. He described the Cannon Mountain tramway as an example where a narrow fiscal note could undercount broader economic benefits.
Nut graf: The bill would create a study committee of five House and three Senate members charged with reviewing when fiscal notes are required, current LBA guidelines, filing deadlines and staffing. The sponsor said the committee would report back by Sept. 1, 2026.
Members and staff raised practical concerns: Paul Smith, Clerk of the House, and other witnesses said the LBA is constrained by statutory deadlines, agency capacity, and a high volume of bills that already require notes. Clerk Smith warned that altering filing calendars bumps against constitutional deadlines for completing the legislative session. Natch Grama of the Business & Industry Association supported a study focused on quantifying broader economic impact.
Several committee members suggested limiting reforms to targeted high-impact bills rather than trying to expand full cost-benefit analysis across hundreds of measures. The sponsor said the committee should decide scope, including whether the $10,000 fiscal-note threshold should be raised.
Ending: Members agreed the proposal warranted further work; the sponsor said he would accept adjustments to appointment procedures and scope to ensure bipartisan representation and practicable recommendations.
