HB 1154, establishing a committee to study the management structure of state government. REFER FOR INTERIM STUDY.
Rep. Spec Bowers for Executive Departments and Administration: The bill would create a committee to examine the management structure of the state, prepare an organization chart, and possibly recommend changes to reduce overhead. The committee decided that these functions fell entirely within the scope of the ED&A committee. Rather than asking the House, Senate, and Governor to create a committee, it is far simpler for ED&A to assign an existing subcommittee to do the work as an interim study project. Vote 13-1.
HB 1281, establishing a committee to study alternative medical insurance coverage for elected state officials. OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Randall A Whitehead for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill establishes a committee to study alternative medical insurance coverage for elected state officials, with the intent to offer a less expensive and more beneficial health care option for active and former elected officials Vote 10-3.
HB 1686-FN, relative to state contracts. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Kenneth Hawkins for Executive Departments and Administration: This bill requires that all state contracts awarded by RFP’s to be posted on the state website after the bid is awarded. Currently a person can request the information under 91-A, but it becomes a lengthy project. This way the unsuccessful bidder(s) can look and see the difference between their bid and the winning bid. The amendment adds $4,000 to the bill to buy laptops for the Executive Councilors so that they can receive information needed for their meeting electronically, thus starting to eliminate over one million pieces of paper that are used today. Vote 11-3.
HB 1534-FN, repealing the self-funding of the department of labor. OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt for Finance: Last year, in an attempt to save approximately $1.4 million in general fund expenditures, the state decided to have the department of labor self-funded by fees and fines. The majority, while casting no aspersions on the department of labor which assured us it would operate within its budget either way, is convinced that in order to provide more openness in government and greater scrutiny on the department budget we should return to funding through the traditional general fund source. It must be stressed that fees and fines were not increased to bring in additional funds this past year but there was some perception that was in fact the case. In terms of funds spent to administer the department, this bill will have no direct impact. General fund revenue and expenditures will increase by $1.4 million; restricted fund revenue and expenses will decrease by $1.4 million. The amendment merely corrects a drafting error. Vote 19-5.
No comments:
Post a Comment