DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 574 Original 2017 Regular Session Garofalo
Abstract: Recreates the Joint Legislative Committee on Reorganization of the Executive Branch
composed of five House members appointed by the Speaker; five Senate members appointed
by the President, and five members appointed by the governor, to provide for the further
reorganization and consolidation within the executive branch of state government. Dissolves
the committee after the adjournment of the 2022 R.S.
Present law creates the Joint Legislative Committee on Reorganization of the Executive Branch to
undertake study and propose legislation to reorganize the executive branch of state government and
in particular the transfer, allocation, or consolidation of state agencies and their powers, duties,
functions, and responsibilities. Provides that the committee be composed of 15 members: five
members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate from a list of nominees submitted
by the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, five members of the House of Representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives from a list of nominees submitted by the
House and Governmental Affairs Committee, and five members appointed by the governor.
Present law requires that the committee hold its organizational meeting within 90 days after the end
of the 1997 Regular Session and elect officers. Proposed law provides instead that the committee
hold its organization meeting within 60 days after the end of the 2017 Regular Session and elect
officers.
Present law requires the committee to make studies it finds necessary or appropriate to reorganize
the executive branch of state government, to include but not be limited to: the nature of the powers,
duties, functions, and responsibilities of all departments and agencies in the executive branch; how
such powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities may be allocated among the departments of the
executive branch in order to eliminate duplication, to coordinate the provision of services, and to
deliver services to the public so as to achieve the greatest benefit at the most economical cost; how
department and agency functions and duties may be performed more effectively and economically
by merger and consolidation, abolition, or division of departments or agencies or other changes in
department or agency structure; the impact of such proposed changes on provision of services to the
public and on the cost of providing such services; how the responsibilities of agencies with respect
to management, finance, budget, and personnel may be consolidated or allocated in order to facilitate
the budgetary process, provide greater legislative oversight, and encourage economy and efficiency
in government; how departments may determine levels of productivity as determined by efficiency
and economy and may measure and improve such productivity; and how the legislature may provide
for and oversee the continuous reorganization, merger, and consolidation of agencies and offices in
the executive branch. Proposed law retains present law and further specifies that the focus of the committee's studies shall
be achieving the elimination, consolidation, improvement, or revision of: (1) inactive entities; (2)
entities, programs, or activities which duplicate other governmental entities, programs, or activities;
(3) unnecessary entities, programs, or activities or entities, programs, or activities which no longer
serve the public interest; (4) improvement of inefficient or ineffective entities, programs, or
activities; and (5) entities, programs, or activities that are inconsistent with the intent of legislation
authorizing the entity, program, or activity.
Present law requires that it complete its study and determine its recommendations to the legislature
no later than Jan. 15, 1999, and submit to the legislature and to the governor, no later than Mar. 1,
1999, the complete results of its study, the report of its findings and its recommendations, and a draft
of legislation to accomplish its recommendations. Proposed law provides instead that the committee
complete its first study and determine its recommendations to the legislature no later than Jan. 15,
2019, and submit its complete study results and its findings and recommendations to each legislator
and the governor no later than Mar. 1, 2019. Further requires an annual report of its findings and
recommendations to the legislature and the governor no later than Jan. 15th.
Present law authorizes the committee to utilize the personnel, facilities, and services of the
legislative auditor, the legislative fiscal officer, and the staffs of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, and to request of and utilize such counsel, assistance, personnel, facilities, and advice as
may be obtained from any and all public or private sources. Also authorizes it to make, or cause to
be made, any studies it may find useful through legislative personnel or in cooperation with any
public or private agency. Allows it to call upon the members or staffs of any and all existing
departments or agencies of the state for data and assistance and requires their cooperation. Further
authorizes the legislative auditor, the legislative fiscal officer, or the staff of the House of
Representatives or the staff of the Senate, upon direction of the committee, to employ necessary staff
and receive and expend funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the legislature or from
any other source, including gifts, donations, and grants of money or services from public or private
persons or agencies, for the purpose of committee studies. Present law requires any state department,
agency, or other instrumentality, upon written committee request to make available to the committee
any officer or employee thereof, selected by the committee in consultation with the agency head, to
be assigned to the committee to aid and assist in the carrying out of its functions. Authorizes the
committee to receive funds from any source and to create advisory committees. Authorizes it to hold
hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, require the production of books and records, and do
all other things necessary to discharge its duties and responsibilities. Provides for punishment of
contempt of the committee and for false swearing. Provides that the committee members receive the
same per diem and travel allowance in the performance of their duties as is provided for members
of the legislature, paid out of funds available to the presiding officers of the two houses of the
Louisiana Legislature for expenses of the legislature and committees and other funds that may be
made available for the purpose. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law dissolves the committee upon adjournment sine die of the 1999 R.S. Proposed law
provides instead that the committee shall be dissolved upon adjournment of the 2022 R.S.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action. (Amends R.S. 36:932, 933, 934, and 937)