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2005 SESSION

052668380
HOUSE BILL NO. 1661
Offered January 12, 2005
Prefiled December 17, 2004
A BILL to require an operational and programmatic review of the Virginia state government structure and operation.
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Patrons-- Lingamfelter, Athey, Cole, Cosgrove, Fralin, Janis, Oder and Saxman
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  § 1. The Governor shall initiate, within 120 days of taking office, an operational and programmatic performance review of all state agencies in accordance with § 2. The purpose of this review shall be to provide an objective and independent assessment of the Commonwealth’s organizational structure and its programs in order to provide information to the Governor and the General Assembly to effect economies and efficiencies in the operation of state government.

§ 2. State agencies in the executive branch of government, except public institutions of higher education, with total agency appropriations of two percent or more of the total state-appropriated funds shall be subject to review. The review shall be conducted by a private management consulting firm with experience in conducting statewide performance reviews. The review shall also consider audits in other states with similar operations to determine how efficient Virginia is compared to other states, as well as how such agencies and instrumentalities are achieving their intended goals as stated in their mission statements, strategic plans, or performance goals and objectives. The review shall, at a minimum, detail the activities of agencies and programs that are not meeting their specific goals and objectives in a cost-effective manner. The review shall place special emphasis on personnel, real estate whether leased or owned by the Commonwealth, procurement, and technology policies and practices. The review shall consider prior results of any studies, audits, or reviews conducted by the General Assembly, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the Auditor of Public Accounts, or Governor-appointed commissions or task forces, and any other independent studies that address the structure and operation of state government. The Governor shall ensure that the review is completed and the resulting report is available to the General Assembly within 18 months of the date that this act is funded.

§ 3. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations shall establish a joint subcommittee to evaluate the reviews as they become available, examine the results of the reviews, and make recommendations to improve the efficiency of each agency of the Commonwealth. The report of the joint subcommittee shall be completed within 45 days of receipt of the report.

§ 4. The provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2009.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation effectuating the purposes of this act is passed on or before January 1, 2007, and signed into law by the Governor.