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2006 SESSION

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060982496
HOUSE BILL NO. 1295 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 11, 2006 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 32, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2698 through 2.2-2698.5, relating to the establishment of the Council on Governmental Accountability and Efficiency; report. ---------- Patron-- Saxman ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 32, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2698 through 2.2-2698.5, as follows:

Article 32. Council on Governmental Accountability and Efficiency.

§ 2.2-2698. The Council on Governmental Accountability and Efficiency; purpose.

The Council on Governmental Accountability and Efficiency (the Council) is established as an advisory council in the executive branch of state government.

The purpose of the Council is to systematically identify waste and inefficiency, report on ways to streamline state government, and make government more accountable.

§ 2.2-2698.1. Membership; terms; quorum; meetings.

The Council shall have a total membership of 13 that shall consist of 12 nonlegislative citizen members and one ex officio member. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed as follows: five nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; three nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and four nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor. The Secretary of Finance or his designee shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

Ex officio members of the Council shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office.  Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms.  Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed.

The Council shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Council shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

§ 2.2-2698.2. Compensation; expenses.

Members shall receive such compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. However, all funding for expenses and other costs of the Council shall come from privately funded sources.

§ 2.2-2698.3. Powers and duties of the Council.

The Council shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Review state government administration and spending practices.

2. Examine ways to streamline, consolidate, privatize, and make government programs more efficient.

3. Identify outdated government programs that can be terminated, consolidated, or reduced.

4. Determine which programs could be better carried out by the private sector.

5. Apply business principles to the state's programs to determine cost saving measures.

6. Submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports. The chairman shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Council no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

§ 2.2-2698.4. Staffing.

The agencies that report to the Secretary of Finance shall provide staff support to the Council. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall also provide assistance to the Council, upon request.

§ 2 2-2698.5. Sunset.

This article shall expire on December 30, 2008.