Evidence-based Evaluations For Budget

The act establishes a set of evidence-based definitions to be used when analyzing a program or practice. If a state agency or the office of state planning and budgeting includes an evidence-based evaluation of a program or practice in a budget request or budget amendment, then the state agency or office is required to describe the program or practice using the definitions. In such case, the state agency or office is also required to provide any research that supports the program or practice or a decrease in funding for a program or practice, along with information concerning how the evidence referenced was used in the development of the budget request or budget amendment request.

Joint budget committee staff is required to independently analyze and describe the program or practice using the definitions and to include any evidence-based information as part of any recommendation it makes regarding a budget request or budget amendment request. The staff director is required to appoint additional staff as necessary to provide the evidence-based analysis, and upon request, joint budget committee staff shall also assist legislators in incorporating evidence-based assessments in legislation for bills that create a new program or practice.

The joint budget committee is required to consider, as one of many factors, any available evidence-based information when determining the appropriate level of funding of a program or practice.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)