Central Nonpartisan Legislative Agencies: 76-1
LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
The Iowa General Assembly also charges the LFB with the responsibility of
reviewing the operation of state agencies and programs. This nonpartisan,
independent review by the LFB causes the evaluation of effectiveness and
efficiency of programs. It may also shed light on alternatives which might
improve a program's benefits and reduce its costs to Iowans.
The LFB was assigned this charge in 1986 and continues to develop the oversight
process, procedures and results. The following is a summary of the reports,
committee meetings and executive branch monitoring that the LFB performs to
fulfill the legislative oversight task.
- Performance Oversight Report - This report is based upon the development
of goals, objectives and performance measures for all agencies of state
government. Through tracking the performance measures over time, the LFB and
appropriations subcommittees should be able to gauge the performance of any
given program. Furthermore, the Legislature would have a basis from which to
predict performance with any given appropriation.
- Legislative Intent Language - This report contains the status of state
departments' implementation of legislative intent language that is incorporated
in the appropriations bills.
- Expenditure and FTE Oversight Report - This report utilizes analysis of
monthly and year-to-date expenditures and personnel utilization schedules by
departments to identify potential problems. The report presents an overall
appraisal of the departments' expenditures for budget units or programs and
analysis of full-time equivalent positions within each department.
- Interim and Visitation Committees - The LFB staff monitors and ensures
legislative intent implementation by attending interim study committee meetings
and staffing visitation committees. Recommendations are made for corrective
actions when the determination is made that legislative goals are not being
met.
- Transfers and Across the Board Cuts - The Code of
Iowa requires the Governor to notify the General Assembly or a committee
prior to any transfer of funds or across the board cuts. By monitoring such
notifications the LFB staff performs legislative oversight.
The LFB staff continues to work with the departments to develop reports which
efficiently and effectively convey oversight observations. While
appropriations subcommittees may not initially utilize oversight information,
the trends studied may gain relevance as the oversight process continues.
Iowa General Assembly
Index
© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
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Last update: 1995
URL: /DOCS/GA/76GA/LSB/LegHandbook/NonLegAgencies/LFBOversight.html
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