Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agency Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill would let legislators trigger appropriations review and possible budget cuts for agencies that violate law
Summary
Senate Bill 147 would let legislators report alleged statutory violations by an agency to the agency director; if not corrected in 30 days, appropriations co-chairs could convene a hearing and recommend up to a 50% administrative budget cut to executive appropriations, prompting debate over separation of powers.
Representative Hatch presented Senate Bill 147, which creates a process for legislators to report alleged statutory violations by an agency to that agency's director, allow a 30-day cure period, and then give appropriations committee leadership the option to convene a hearing and recommend budget reductions to the executive appropriations committee. Hatch described it as a straightforward way to address agency noncompliance.
Critics argued the bill risks making legislators both accusers and adjudicators and could politicize budget decisions. Representative Berndt warned that the bill would put legislators in the role of "accuser, judge, and jury," and Representative Bradshaw described the measure as having a "hint of revenge" and urged caution pending ongoing litigation. Supporters said the measure provides an enforcement tool short of litigation for agencies that do not follow law.
Floor procedure then moved to a previous question and on to recorded votes; the transcript shows extensive 'aye' responses during the previous question motion and later votes on related concurrence items. The transcript excerpt includes robust debate but not the full, signed final appropriations action on this bill within the provided text.
