Louisiana House Bill HB626

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/12
• Refer: 3/12/12
• Report Pass: 3/13/12

Caption

Re-creates the Dept. of Revenue

Impact

The passage of HB 626 ensures the Department of Revenue remains functional and continues its essential operations without interruption. It supersedes conflicting provisions of the sunset law by allowing the department to be re-created with a streamlined process, thus maintaining continuity in revenue collection and distribution functions which are critical to the state's financial health. The new termination date indicates the urgency for ongoing legislative action to ensure that the department does not lapse again.

Summary

House Bill 626 seeks to re-create the Department of Revenue and its associated statutory entities in accordance with the state's sunset law. This law stipulates that departments and their entities must be periodically reviewed and re-authorized to continue their operations. The bill establishes the effective re-creation date of the Department of Revenue as June 30, 2012, while setting a termination date for all statutory authority related to the department for July 1, 2017, unless further action is taken by the legislature to re-create it before then.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment regarding HB 626 has been supportive among legislators who recognize the necessity of the Department of Revenue in facilitating state functions related to taxation and revenue management. However, there may also be concerns about the implications of recurring sunset provisions, which emphasize the need for continuous oversight of state entities and their effectiveness. Challenges remain in balancing administrative needs against fiscal responsibility.

Contention

Debate surrounding the bill primarily focuses on the efficacy of the sunset law and whether it provides adequate oversight or creates administrative burdens. While supporters argue that re-creating the Department of Revenue is vital for the state’s fiscal framework, opponents may worry that the sunset process could lead to instability if not handled properly. The call for transparency and evaluation of departmental performance is a significant aspect of ongoing discussions among legislators.