The bill proposes a new process for legislators to request information from state agencies and establishes a complaint mechanism if the requested information is not provided within a specified timeframe. Under the new provisions, legislators can submit written requests for information, which state agencies must respond to within five legislative days. If the agency fails to comply, the legislator can file a complaint with the appropriations committee, which is required to hold a hearing within three legislative days. The committee may then vote to reduce the agency's budget by up to 5% for non-compliance.
Additionally, the bill outlines the necessary components of the complaint, including the legislator's name, the agency involved, and any responses received. It mandates that the hearing and committee discussions be recorded and that the results be communicated to key elected officials, including the governor, who may take disciplinary action against the agency director. The bill also includes definitions and codification instructions, and it is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.