NCJ Number
54155
Date Published
1978
Length
49 pages
Annotation
PASSAGE IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE BILL DESIGNATED S.2, AS DESCRIBED IN THE REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BY STRENGTHENING CONGRESSIONAL PROCEDURES FOR THE REVIEW AND REAUTHORIZATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS, A BILL DESIGNATED S.2 WAS APPROVED FOR PASSAGE BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION. THE BILL ENTITLED THE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION AND EVALUATION ACT OF 1978, REQUIRES AUTHORIZATIONS OF NEW BUDGETS FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AT LEAST EVERY 5 YEARS, AND REVIEW OF SUCH PROGRAMS EVERY 5 YEARS. THE ACT IS A FORM OF 'SUNSET' LEGISLATION WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS EXPIRE UNLESS PERIODICALLY REAUTHORIZED BY STATUTE. AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THIS LEGISLATION IS THE THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS. THE COMMITTEE MADE EXTENSIVE REVISIONS OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED BILL IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A WORKABLE REVIEW PROCESS. THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION INCLUDE SCHEDULE FOR THE REAUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS, DIRECTIVE FOR THE COMPILATION OF AN INVENTORY OF PROGRAMS, SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR PROGRAMS THAT WILL RECEIVE INDEPTH EVALUATION, AND PROCEDURES FOR EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED TIMELY REAUTHORIZATION. THE HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATION IS DISCUSSED FROM THE TIME OF ITS REFERRAL TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION, AND THE CHANGES MADE BY THE COMMITTEE ARE LISTED. A SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE ACT IS PROVIDED, INCLUDING REFERENCE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITIZENS' COMMISSION ON THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT. ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE APPENDED TO THE COMMITTEE REPORT. (TWK).