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SJR 58 - Introduced - PDF
SJR58
190181-3
By Senator Chambliss
RFD:
First Read: 13-FEB-18
190181-3:n:02/05/2018:DSM/th LSA2018-378R2
TO AMEND AND READOPT ACT 2017-63, SJR52, 2017
REGULAR SESSION, TO RECREATE THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE
ON BUDGET REFORM.
WHEREAS, the Joint Legislative Task Force on Budget
Reform was created by the Legislature during the 2016 First
Special Session (Act 2016-480) to examine the structure and
design of the state budgeting process and make recommendations
for long-term budget and tax system reforms; and
WHEREAS, the task force, recreated by Act 2017-63,
SJR52, 2017 Regular Session, has held numerous meetings to
hear testimony and examine potential policy approaches
relating to the expenditures of state government within the
General Fund and the existing structure of the state budgeting
process; and
WHEREAS, due to the diligent work of task force
members, the task force has made significant progress in
formulating suggested policy changes to the budgeting process
which will facilitate thorough review and oversight of state
agency spending and ensure that taxpayer dollars are
appropriated in the best possible manner; and
WHEREAS, task force members are commended for their
efforts to formulate meaningful budget reform and should be
afforded additional time to complete their research and
finalize recommendations to the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, a Second Interim Report of the Joint
Legislative Task Force on Budget Reform was provided as
required by Act 2017-63, SJR52, 2017 Regular Session; within
that report, the task force requested to be continued and the
date for the final report extended until the fifth legislative
day of the 2018 Regular Session; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Act 2017-63, SJR52, 2017
Regular Session, relating to the Joint Legislative Task Force
on Budget Reform, is amended and readopted as follows:
That a Joint Legislative Task Force on Budget Reform
is created to examine the structure and design of the state
budgeting process and make recommendations for long-term
budget and tax system reforms.
(a) The committee is composed of the following:
(1) Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range)
(2) Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville)
(3) Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)
(4) Sen. Bill Hightower (R-Mobile)
(5) Sen. Bill Holtzclaw (R-Madison)
(6) Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
(7) Sen. Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City)
(8) Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville)
(9) Rep. Allen Farley (R-McCalla)
(10) Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
(11) Rep. John Knight (D-Montgomery)
(12) Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
(13) Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette)
(14) Rep. Rich Wingo (R-Tuscaloosa)
(b) Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment. The
Speaker of the House shall fill vacancies created by House
members. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall fill
vacancies created by Senate members.
(c) The task force shall evaluate and recommend
changes to state budgeting practices including, but not
limited to:
(1) Adjustments to the budgeting process for the
Education Trust Fund and General Fund.
(2) Requiring state entities to undergo greater
performance and program reviews.
(3) Unearmarking funds in order to provide for
greater legislative oversight and appropriating flexibility.
(4) Reviewing existing state tax credits,
deductions, and exemptions that result in the loss of
approximately $4.5 billion in revenue to our state budgets
each year, and creating a policy to ensure that future tax
credits effectively provide economic gain to the state.
(5) Identifying areas to provide tax relief to
Alabama families without significantly impacting state
budgets.
(d) The task force shall meet periodically as
determined by the co-chairs and shall report its findings,
conclusions, and recommendations to the Legislature not later
than the 15th legislative day of the 2019 Regular Session,
whereupon the task force shall stand dissolved and discharged
of any further duties and liabilities.
(e) Each member of the task force shall be entitled
to his or her regular legislative compensation, per diem, and
travel expenses for each day he or she attends a meeting of
the task force in accordance with Amendment 871 of the
Constitution of Alabama of 1901. These payments shall be paid
out of any funds appropriated to the use of the Legislature by
means of warrants drawn by the state Comptroller on the State
Treasury.