Louisiana House Bill HB212

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/30/15
• Refer: 3/30/15
• Refer: 4/13/15
• Report Pass: 4/28/15
• Engrossed: 5/6/15
• Refer: 5/7/15
• Refer: 5/25/15

Caption

Requires the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay to approve line of credit recommendations for state and nonstate entity projects (RE NO IMPACT GF EX See Note)

Impact

The bill modifies existing laws by mandating that project recommendations be submitted to the JLCCO at least thirty days before they are presented to the State Bond Commission. This change aims to provide a framework for the JLCCO to either endorse or amend the list of projects up for funding. As a result, only those projects approved by the JLCCO will be eligible for consideration, potentially leading to more prudent fiscal management of state resources and accountability in the allocation of public capital.

Summary

House Bill 212 establishes a procedure requiring the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay (JLCCO) to review and approve recommendations for state and nonstate entity projects seeking lines of credit. This legislative revision is aimed at enhancing the review process before project funding is proposed to the State Bond Commission, ensuring a systematic evaluation of projects before any commitments are made. The intent is to streamline capital project financing while maintaining oversight over public expenditures.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 212 appears to be largely supportive within the legislature, as indicated by the unanimous vote in favor of the bill during its final passage. Legislators highlighted the necessity for enhanced oversight in public funding processes. However, some concerns were raised regarding the possible implications for project timelines, with critics cautioning that stringent procedural requirements could delay important infrastructure projects.

Contention

While the support for HB 212 indicates a move towards greater oversight, there are underlying concerns about the balance between regulatory oversight and the timely execution of necessary projects. The requirement for extensive review by the JLCCO may introduce bureaucratic delays that could hinder critical capital projects, especially those needing quick funding. Additionally, discussions about the efficiency of the existing process emerged, suggesting that further fine-tuning might be needed to expedite project approvals while still ensuring accountability.