#HB1662 relative to preparation of fiscal notes--PASSES by voice vote #nhhouse

HB 1662-FN, relative to preparation of fiscal notes.  MAJORITY:  OUGHT TO PASS.  MINORITY:  INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.

Rep. J. Michael Ball for the Majority of Legislative Administration:  This bill will add an additional requirement to describe the costs and benefits of state spending on our citizens and their businesses.  This extra layer of explanation to our taxpayers will serve to reaffirm the state’s responsibility to act as a good steward of our financial resources.  Each and every expenditure should be properly explained to those who foot the bill.  The taxpayers deserve to know that their hard earned dollars are spent in a thoughtful manner on programs and departments that serve the public.   Vote 7-4.      

Rep. Mary Jane Wallner for the Minority of Legislative Administration:  The bill requires that departments when preparing fiscal notes include information on the cost and benefits to citizens and businesses.  Fiscal notes are already complex and time consuming to prepare, this bill will require an enormous amount of additional work for the departments.  Determining the cost and benefits to businesses and citizens will take much additional time and expertise.  The bill will greatly increase the workload on our departments and slow down the fiscal note process.  The benefits of a bill are the sponsors responsibility to prove.