Provides relative to complaints regarding government service (OR +$1,267,177 GF EX See Note)
Impact
If enacted, HB 900 will significantly alter how complaints about government services are handled across various state agencies. The bill ensures that these complaints are addressed consistently and transparently, potentially leading to improved service delivery and responsiveness from state agencies. By requiring regular reporting to the legislature on the nature and volume of complaints, the bill promotes accountability and may lead to necessary reforms within state agencies based on the feedback received.
Summary
House Bill 900 establishes a uniform policy for handling complaints regarding government services provided by state agencies in Louisiana. The bill mandates the division of administration to create guidelines that all executive branch agencies must follow. These guidelines will focus on assessing and addressing complaints, ensuring that they are channeled to agency heads, and establishing a review mechanism to evaluate agency responses. This systematic approach aims to streamline the complaint process and enhance accountability among state agencies.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 900 appears to be largely positive among proponents, who believe that it represents a critical step toward enhancing government accountability and improving public service quality. However, there may be concerns from some critics regarding the implications of standardized processes, which could overlook unique local issues or grievances that require more tailored responses. Overall, the bill has the potential to foster a more responsive government, although its successful implementation will depend on the execution of the proposed guidelines.
Contention
Notably, HB 900 includes definitions to clarify what constitutes a 'complaint' regarding government service, explicitly excluding allegations of fraud or criminal wrongdoing. This delineation may raise contentions about the scope of the bill, with critics possibly arguing that it does not address other related grievances that citizens may face. Furthermore, while the intention is to create uniformity, there may be concerns about state agencies potentially prioritizing compliance over genuine constituent engagement, thus limiting the effectiveness of the complaint resolution process.
Provides for the development of a long term plan to create regional governmental service centers for the delivery of state services. (8/15/10) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)