HB2222

THE CONTEXT: Laws 1966, Chapter 96 established the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), a statutory committee of fourteen (now sixteen) members made up of House and Senate leadership and additional designated Members. The enacting legislation also established the appointment of a budget analyst and additional personnel as needed.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would direct the Attorney General to submit a settlement agreement report describing the proposed terms of such agreement to the presiding officer of both chambers of the Legislature at least 30 days before entering into a settlement agreement, instruct municipalities and counties to submit a settlement agreement report that describes the proposed terms of such agreement to the Governor, both chambers of the Legislature and the Attorney General at least 90 days before entering into a settlement agreement, and require municipalities and counties to submit proposed settlement agreements that are $1,000,000 or more to the JLBC for review and recommendations.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give the people who rely on the rule clearer information and a defined reporting process. It would direct the Attorney General to submit a settlement agreement report describing the proposed terms of such agreement to the presiding officer of both chambers of the Legislature at least 30 days before entering into a settlement agreement, and would also instruct municipalities and counties to submit a settlement agreement report that describes the proposed terms of such agreement to the Governor, both chambers of the Legislature and the Attorney General at least 90 days before entering into a settlement agreement, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.