Committee backs pilot to tie some grants to independent, outcome‑based evaluation
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Summary
SB 3.24 establishes a pilot framework requiring grant applicants to define measurable outcomes and undergo independent evaluation; the Office of Legislative Auditor General will set evaluation standards and review methodology. The committee recommended the pilot unanimously.
Senator Musselman presented SB 3.24 as a pilot to raise accountability for selected grant programs by requiring applicants to specify intended outcomes, measurement approaches, and independent evaluation before funding decisions.
Under the bill, applicants must identify specific outcomes, describe evaluation methodology (including counterfactual or comparison designs when appropriate), and fund independent evaluators to assess whether the intervention produced the intended results. The Office of Legislative Auditor General will establish evaluation standards and may review methodology and rigor. The sponsor said the pilot will apply only to grants the Legislature directs into the framework and will not automatically apply to all grants.
Representative Moss asked about fiscal notes and whether money for the pilot evaluations had been budgeted; the sponsor said the two grant programs referenced in the substitute already had budget authority and the pilot repurposes administration into an outcome‑based evaluation structure rather than creating new recurring funds. Cade Minche, the legislative auditor, explained that independent evaluators exist in higher education and research markets and the bill allows funding to help compensate qualified evaluators and requires OLAG to set standards and selection processes.
Committee action: Representative Peterson moved and the committee voted unanimously to recommend the first substitute of SB 3.24 favorably.
Next steps: The pilot will proceed to the floor with committee support; OLAG rulemaking and evaluator selection procedures will follow if it becomes law.