SJR 58

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.