SPONSOR: Riggs
This bill establishes a joint committee of the General Assembly to be known as the "Joint Committee on Government Efficiency". Membership of the committee is:
(1) Three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tem;
(2) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Minority Floor Leader;
(3) Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker; and
(4) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Floor Leader.
Chairmanship of the Joint Committee will alternate between Chambers. The Joint Committee is tasked with reviewing existing State rules and regulations to identify any that are ineffective, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome and providing recommendations for rewriting or repealing such regulations.
The Joint Committee must also make recommendations relating to State budgetary matters. The Joint Committee must analyze State agency budgets for potential cost reductions, identify the minimum number of employees required for an agency to carry out its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions, and issue a list of full-time employee positions to eliminate from the State budget.
The elimination of such positions shall automatically go into effect the following February 1st unless the General Assembly passes a resolution or the Governor issues an executive order disapproving such plan.
The Joint Committee shall also make recommendations on the disposition of unused or underutilized State real property. The Joint Committee shall create a list of State real property to be sold, leased, or otherwise transferred, which will automatically go into effect the following February 1st, unless the General Assembly passes a resolution or the Governor issues an executive order disapproving such plan. The Joint Committee is also tasked with reviewing statutes that have a significant impact on the State budget and conducting a complete review of and making recommendations for the improvement of the State's Social Services System, as further specified in the bill.
The Joint Committee must also solicit bids for, and review, performance audits conducted on each State department, the General Assembly, the judiciary, and the offices of all statewide elected officials. The Joint Committee shall submit no later than September 1st of even-numbered years a full report of its activities and recommendations for legislative action.
This bill also creates the "Government Efficiency Fund" in the State treasury, into which shall be deposited moneys resulting from cost savings recommended by the Joint Committee.
This bill is similar to HB 1083 (2025).
Statutes affected: