Texas House Bill HB3119

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs.

Impact

The impact of HB3119 is significant as it introduces a systematic approach to evaluating state agency expenditures and activities. By requiring agencies to justify their operations and funding, the bill aims to enhance accountability and transparency in state governance. Furthermore, the results of these reviews will be considered during the legislative appropriations process, which could influence funding decisions for various state programs and services moving forward.

Summary

House Bill 3119 is designed to establish strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies and programs in Texas. The bill mandates that the Legislative Budget Board conduct these reviews for each state agency that was continued through legislation passed in the 85th Texas Legislature. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of each agency's activities and operations. The first report based on these reviews is required to be submitted by September 1, 2020, and must detail specific agency activities, justifications for these activities, and assessments of their performance levels.

Contention

While the bill's objective is to improve the fiscal management of state agencies, there may be potential points of contention regarding its implementation. Critics might argue that the requirement for extensive evaluations could place an additional burden on state agencies and lead to delays in necessary services. Additionally, discussions could arise about how the evaluations are conducted and who determines the effectiveness of agency activities, raising questions about subjective assessments in the ranking and justification process.