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For a second time in less than a year, Senator Kris Jordan (R, Delaware) introduced legislation that would close each state agency unless affirmatively renewed, after a performance audit by the State Auditor.

Former Senate President Keith Faber (R, Celina), now in the House of Representatives, introduced companion legislation in House Bill 51. Assigned to the House State and Local Government Committee, the bill has received the required three hearings (sponsor, proponent, and opponent testimony), and is ready for a vote.

Previously, the similar Senate Bill 329 passed the Senate and House, but was vetoed by the Governor after the General Assembly adjourned for the biennium. In re-introducing the measure, now-Representative Faber claimed that the legislature needs to review agency work in-depth, rather than only in the rush of budget hearings.

Legislative committees would review each agency by establishing ?customer service standards? and then evaluate each agency against those standards. ?This bill has always been about rebalancing the relationship between the Legislature and the agencies,? claimed Faber.

Running for the office of State Auditor in the 2018 election, Faber also urged the expansion of the Auditor?s authority.

Americans for Prosperity testified in favor of the initiative, claiming that the proposed law ?empowers the legislature to hold state agencies accountable by requiring the directors to obtain affirmative support from the very legislature that created them.?

In opposition, two public employees labor unions testified that the legislation is unnecessary and disruptive.

If passed in the House, hearings would begin in the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact attorney Luther Liggett?of Graff & McGovern at 614-228-5800, ext. 6.