2A.7 - STATE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND PROGRAM EVALUATION.
2A.7 STATE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND PROGRAM
EVALUATION.
1. The general assembly shall independently and intensively
review and oversee the performance of state agencies in the operation
of state programs to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the
state programs and to consider alternatives which may improve the
benefits of such programs or may reduce their costs to the citizens
of the state. The legislative services agency shall provide
technical and professional support for the general assembly's
oversight responsibility.
2. The general assembly by concurrent resolution or the
legislative council may direct the legislative services agency to
conduct a program evaluation of any state agency. Upon the passage
of the concurrent resolution or receiving the direction of the
legislative council, the director of the legislative services agency
shall inform the chairpersons of the committees responsible for
appropriations of the anticipated cost of the program evaluation and
the number and nature of any additional personnel needed to conduct
the program evaluation and shall notify the official responsible for
the program to be evaluated. The director, after consulting with the
responsible official and the entity requesting the program
evaluation, shall determine the goals and objectives of the state
agency or state program for the purpose of the program evaluation.
3. In conducting the program evaluation, the legislative services
agency may make certain determinations including but not limited to
the following:
a. The organizational framework of the state agency, its
adequacy and relationship to the overall structure of state
government, and whether the program under the agency's jurisdiction
could be more effective if consolidated with another program,
transferred to another program, or modified, or whether the program
should be abolished.
b. Whether the state agency is conducting programs and
activities and expending funds appropriated to the state agency in
compliance with state and federal law and any executive order of the
governor, and whether statutory or administrative rule changes are
advisable.
c. Whether the state agency is conducting authorized
activities and programs pursuant to goals and objectives established
by statute or rule, specific legislative intent, the budget, the
governor, or a strategic or other long-range plan, and whether
alternatives which might produce the desired results at a lower cost
have been considered.
d. Whether the state agency is conducting programs and
activities and expending funds appropriated to the state agency in an
efficient and effective manner, has complied with all applicable
laws, and, if not, determine the causes for such inefficiency,
ineffectiveness, or noncompliance.
e. Relationships within and among other governmental agencies
and programs including financial exchanges, coordination,
inconsistent programs, and areas of duplication or overlapping
programs.
f. The productivity of the state agency's operations measured
in terms of cost-benefit relationships or other accepted measures of
effectiveness.
g. Other criteria determined by the director.
4. Upon the completion of the program evaluation and preparation
of a report on the evaluation, the legislative services agency shall
provide a copy of the report to the governing official or board of
the state agency and afford the state agency a reasonable opportunity
to respond to the findings and recommendations of the report. The
response shall be included in the final version of the report
released to the general assembly or the legislative council. Until
its release the report shall be regarded as confidential by all
persons properly having custody of the report. Section History: Recent Form
2003 Acts, ch 35, §7, 49
Referred to in § 2A.4