Missouri Senate Bill SB721

Missouri 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 3/24/25

Caption

Requires state departments to identify administrative entities that are obsolete

Impact

The passage of SB721 is expected to streamline government operations by eliminating those administrative entities that no longer serve a practical purpose. By bringing transparency to unused or ineffective administrative structures, the bill aims to reduce wasteful spending and ensure that resources are allocated to productive entities. The requirement for annual reporting may lead to more informed legislative decisions regarding the future of these entities and how best to manage state resources.

Summary

Senate Bill 721 mandates state departments in Missouri to identify and report on administrative entities that have not conducted public meetings or business for a period of three years. This initiative is aimed at improving government efficiency by recognizing entities that may be deemed obsolete due to lack of activity. Each department is required to compile a report detailing these entities and to analyze whether their functions can be managed by other existing administrative bodies. This reporting obligation will begin in 2025, with annual updates to be provided on October 1st each year henceforth.

Contention

While the intent of SB721 is largely to promote efficiency, some concerns may arise regarding the determination of what constitutes an 'obsolete' entity. Questions about accountability and the potential implications for departments that oversee these entities could provoke debate. Additionally, stakeholders might worry that merging responsibilities into other entities could dilute specialization and compromise services provided to the public.