The establishment of the Legislative Budget Office is expected to significantly improve the legislative process by providing objective, non-partisan fiscal analyses. These reports will inform both legislators and the public, thereby facilitating a better understanding of how proposed bills might influence state finances. The bill also repeals the non-functional Joint Legislative Budget Committee and Office of the Legislative Analyst, symbolizing a shift towards a more structured approach to fiscal oversight in legislation. Notably, this new office will be mandated to prepare fiscal analyses prior to the third reading of bills, ensuring that fiscal implications are considered promptly.
Summary
House Bill 2022 aims to establish a Legislative Budget Office in Hawaii, designed to generate timely fiscal analyses of proposed legislation impacting state revenues and expenditures. The need for such an office arises from the struggles faced by the legislature due to inadequate fiscal assessments of bills, which historically have relied on potentially underqualified individuals for analysis. By creating a dedicated office, the bill seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislature's work while simultaneously fostering transparency for the public regarding the fiscal implications of legislative proposals.
Contention
While proponents of HB 2022 argue that it will enhance legislative transparency and accountability, some may contend that the creation of a new office could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies or that fiscal analyses could be used selectively to influence legislative outcomes. Additionally, the appropriation of funds necessary for the functioning of this new office may raise concerns among some legislators about budgetary constraints or funding priorities in other critical areas.
Relative to creating a commission to study the feasibility and structure of a legislative office to provide longitudinal cost-benefit analysis of significant proposed legislation and of budgetary revenue estimates.