Approval of Special Committee on Legislative Budget Will Increase Efficiency, Transparency

On October 23, the State Legislative Coordinating Council approved the Special Committee on Legislative Budget.

This special interim committee will make the legislative budget process more efficient and transparent by beginning the review of agency budgets during the months of November and December, prior to the start of the legislative session in January. This change will provide an additional two months for further vetting, ensuring the state is on a fiscally responsible path.

It's important to note that nothing in statute prohibits a governor from releasing agency budget requests sooner. However, until now, the legislature has been forced to wait until after the session begins to begin their review, artificially limiting the time needed for thorough analysis.

Other budget requests will be handled as in the past through the standing committee and subcommittee process during the legislative session.

Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins issued the following statement: "We are looking forward to the important and necessary work this committee will conduct in order to make our budget process more effective and efficient, while giving us time to ensure that Kansas taxpayers are getting the most bang for their buck," they said.

The Special Committee on Legislative Budget will be made up of 23 members. The Senate President and House Speaker made the following appointments to the committee.

Senate President Masterson has appointed Vice Chair Senator Rick Billinger, Chair of Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senator J.R Claeys, Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senator Ty Masterson, Senate President, Senator Larry Alley, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mike Fagg, Member of Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senator Renee Erickson, Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Virgil Peck and Senator Mike Petersen.

House Speaker Hawkins has appointed Chair Representative Troy Waymaster, Chair of House Committee on Appropriations, Representative Dan Hawkins, Speaker of the House, Representative Kyle Hoffman, Chair of House Committee on General Government Budget, Representative Avery Anderson, Chair of House Committee on Transportation and Public Safety Budget, Representative Ken Corbet, Chair of House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget, Representative Steven Howe, Chair of House Committee on Higher Education Budget, Representative Kristey Williams, Chair of House Committee on K-12 Education Budget and Representative Will Carpenter, Vice Chair of House Committee on Social Services Budget.

(Information courtesy Office of the Speaker of the House.)