Georgia HB 1178: Georgia Utility Transparency Act; enact

Bill Text

26 LC 59 0409S
House Bill 1178 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Horner of the 3
rd, Tarvin of the 2
nd, Persinger of the 119
th, Scoggins of
the 14
th, Ridley of the 6
th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1
relating to general provisions regarding financial affairs, so as to establish the Budget and2
Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee of the House of Representatives; to provide for3
appointment; to provide for duties, functions, and powers; to provide for reporting and4
summaries; to provide for member allowances; to provide for audits; to provide for related5
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to9
general provisions regarding financial affairs, is amended by revising Code Section 28-5-5,10
which is reserved, as follows:11
"28-5-5.12
(a) There is created the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee comprising 1913
members of the House of Representatives appointed in accordance with the rules of the14
House of Representatives, to include the chairperson of the House Committee on15
Appropriations. The members of such committee shall be selected within ten days after16
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26 LC 59 0409S
the convening of the General Assembly in each odd-numbered year and shall serve until17
their successors are appointed.18
(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a member of the committee19
to serve as chairperson. The committee may meet up to nine times per year between20
sessions and, upon the call of the chairperson, at such additional times as deemed necessary21
by the chairperson, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.22
(c) It shall be the duty of such committee to consult with the Governor and the Office of23
Planning and Budget concerning the development and implementation of the strategic24
planning process, the development of outcome measures for program evaluation, and the25
implementation of related actions.26
(d) It shall be the duty of the committee to review and evaluate the following:27
(1) The strategic plans for the state and individual departments submitted by the Office28
of Planning and Budget;29
(2) Information or reports to be submitted by the Office of Planning and Budget30
identifying moneys received and the purposes for which moneys are expended in any31
case in which the receipt or expenditure is not contemplated by an appropriations Act;32
(3) Such other information or reports as deemed necessary by the committee; and33
(4) Liabilities of the state and individual departments and agencies.34
(e) The Office of Planning and Budget and the head of each budget unit shall cooperate35
with the committee and shall provide such information or reports as requested by the36
committee for the performance of its functions.37
(f) The committee shall make an annual report of its activities and findings to the38
membership of the General Assembly and the Governor within one week of the convening39
of each regular session of the General Assembly. The chairperson of the committee shall40
prepare written executive summaries of such report prior to the adoption of the General41
Appropriations Act each year. The committee shall not be required to distribute copies of42
the annual report or the executive summaries to the members of the General Assembly but43
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shall notify members of the availability of such materials in the manner which it deems to44
be most effective and efficient. The committee chairperson shall provide a copy of the45
executive summaries to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairperson46
of the House Committee on Appropriations.47
(g) The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative48
members of legislative committees. The funds necessary to pay such allowances shall49
come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.50
(h) The committee, upon a determination of necessity, shall be authorized to request that51
a performance audit be conducted for any state or local governmental entity which receives52
state funding. Such audit may be conducted by one or more third-party auditors. Subject53
to approval by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the funds necessary to pay for54
such audit shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives.55
(i) The committee shall have the power, at the discretion of the Speaker of the House of56
Representatives, to call any elected official, state department, state agency, state employee,57
county commissioner, county manager, or school superintendent to address the committee's58
findings. Reserved."59
SECTION 2.60
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.61
H. B. 117