Senate pushes transparency inventory for municipal activities that compete with private businesses
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
First substitute Senate Bill 45 would require larger cities and counties to list functions that compete with the private sector; supporters called it a transparency measure while critics raised concerns about scope, cost and the risk of encouraging privatization.
Senator Stevenson presented first substitute Senate Bill 45 as a transparency and accountability measure requiring an inventory of municipal activities that compete with the private sector. He said the requirement would begin with larger entities with the capacity to produce such an inventory and would not prevent municipalities from providing those services.
Floor debate focused on definitions and scope. Senators asked whether the bill imposed an unfunded mandate, whether "inventory" implied minute level detail, and whether the measure might discourage community amenities such as recreation centers and pools. Sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the bill "simply provides that when you do it, we want you to do it consciously" and that many entities already track enterprise functions in budgets. Opponents worried the list could be used to push privatization or impose burdens on smaller jurisdictions.
After extended debate and multiple proposed amendments, the Senate ordered the first substitute to third reading after a roll call vote (17 yes, 10 no, 2 absent).