Bill > H3178

This bill establishes a nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Office, which will be headed by a Director appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate President, with input from legislative leaders and committee chairs, for a five-year term, and can be removed for cause. The office will be staffed by employees appointed by the Director based on merit, including at least one certified public accountant and one attorney, and will assist legislative committees and members by analyzing legislative proposals, advising on the fiscal impact of bills and budget items, conducting research, preparing reports, reviewing the state budget, and forecasting revenue, with the ability to access relevant documents from state agencies. The "Ways and Means" committees are legislative committees responsible for overseeing state spending and revenue.