Requires prior approval of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget of requests for proposals, contracts, and cooperative endeavor agreements over a specified dollar amount (EG1 SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
Impact
The implementation of HB 139 is expected to enhance the scrutiny of high-value state contracts, thereby potentially reducing the risks of mismanagement or inefficiencies in public spending. By imposing a review process, the bill aims to provide legislative oversight on contracts that could have far-reaching implications for services provided to the public, such as healthcare operations under the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. It sets a clear standard that all agreements meeting the specified threshold must be subjected to rigorous examination before execution.
Summary
House Bill 139 proposes significant changes to the procurement process for state contracts, specifically targeting those exceeding $50 million. The bill mandates that all requests for proposals (RFPs) related to professional, personal, consulting, or social services contracts must receive prior review and approval from the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB) before they can be advertised. This requirement is designed to ensure greater oversight and accountability in the awarding of substantial state contracts, aligning with the state's fiscal management strategies.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding HB 139 appears to be cautiously optimistic among supporters who advocate for increased government oversight and accountability in spending. However, there may be concerns among some stakeholders regarding the potential delays in essential services introduced by the additional bureaucratic layer of review. The unified support in the voting records, with a substantial majority approving the bill, indicates a prevailing belief in the necessity of establishing stricter control over major contracts.
Contention
While HB 139 received overwhelming support in the vote, notable points of contention may arise around its implementation, particularly regarding the efficiency of the JLCB review process. Critics may argue that the additional step for contract approval could slow down the procurement timeline, impacting timely service delivery—especially in essential sectors such as healthcare. The legislation raises questions about the balance between necessary oversight and operational efficiency in the state’s public contract management system.
Requires prior approval of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget of request for proposals, contracts, and cooperative endeavor agreements over a specified dollar amount (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Requires prior approval of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget of requests for proposals and contracts over a specific dollar amount (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
Provides for reporting to and approval of all state contracts valued at twenty-five million dollars or more annually by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. (7/1/20) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
Requires contracts over a certain amount and extensions of such contracts to be approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Requires submission for approval by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget of any cooperative endeavor agreements between the LSU Board of Supervisors and a private entity involving the change in management of a public hospital
Authorizes and provides for cooperative endeavor agreements between local governmental subdivisions and other entities that may require payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes (RE1 SEE FISC NOTE LF RV See Note)