By Sean Whaley, Nevada News Bureau: A bill implementing “performance-based” budgeting, including requirements for agencies to set benchmarks and goals and be held accountable for their spending priorities using quantifiable measurements, passed the Senate today and now heads to Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Assembly Bill 248, sponsored by Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, and Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, already passed the Assembly.
The bill is part of a package of Democratic legislation to reform state government to make it more efficient, transparent, and accountable to Nevada’s taxpayers. The new budgeting process would replace the current practice of taking every agency budget approved by the Legislature and adding to it every session to accommodate rising caseloads, inflation and other cost increases.
“Performance-based budgeting is a proven approach to making government more efficient, accountable and making sure every taxpayer dollar is working harder and being spent wisely,” Smith said.
In addition to implementing a performance-based budgeting system, AB248 requires the posting of the information about performance on the Department of Administration website, along with report cards on state agencies, to increase transparency.
AB248 further empowers the governor to authorize executive agencies to conduct public hearings on the proposed budget between October 15th and January 15th of the budget cycle, providing additional opportunities for public input and enabling the legislature to have more information when the session convenes.
State Budget Director Andrew Clinger produced Nevada’s first performance-based budget for the current legislative session at the direction of former Gov. Jim Gibbons, along with the traditional budget document, for consideration by lawmakers.
If signed into law, AB248 would mandate the creation of such a budget.
