Call to Order and Roll Call
The Program Review and Investigations Committee met on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at<MeetTime> 11:00 AM, in Room 129 of the Capitol Annex. Representative Lynn Bechler, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Danny Carroll, Co-Chair; Representative Lynn Bechler, Co-Chair; Senators Wil Schroder and Reginald Thomas; Representatives Chris Fugate, Donna Mayfield, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Rob Rothenburger, Arnold Simpson, and Walker Thomas.
LRC Staff: Greg Hager, Committee Staff Administrator; Colleen Kennedy, Van Knowles; William Spears; Shane Stevens, Joel Thomas; and Kate Talley, Committee Assistant.
Representative Bechler opened the floor for proposals for new study topics.
Representative Rothenburger made a motion that staff study the inventory of state-owned buildings and land that could potentially be designated as surplus property in the future.
In response to a question from Senator Carroll, Representative Rothenburger said the House Majority did consider making HCR 100 a study topic but ultimately chose not to. The motion was seconded by Representative Simpson and approved by a roll call vote.
Representative Simpson made a motion that staff study state-owned automobiles and policies relative to utilization inclusive of liability coverage and other related matters. Representative Palumbo clarified that the topic includes all vehicles, not just automobiles. The motion was seconded by Representative Rothenburger and approved by a roll call vote.
In response to a question from Representative Bechler, Senator Thomas confirmed the Senate Minority’s study topic of the impact and success of funding half-day kindergarten.
Senator Thomas made a motion that during the 2017 Interim, all testimony be given under oath.
In response to a question by Senator Schroder, Senator Thomas confirmed that the committee does have the statutory authority to place witnesses under oath.
Representative Simpson commented that many witnesses come forth as individuals. Under certain circumstances, it may be suitable.
The motion was not seconded.
Senator Carroll made a motion that staff study the Supports for Community Living Waiver Program’s reimbursements for private providers as addressed in HCR 100. Medicaid is a predominant cost factor in the state budget, so this issue is important to study in determining how to provide these services. The motion was seconded by Representative Rothenburger.
In response to a question from Senator Schroder, Representative Bechler said that staff can handle the additional topic. The motion was approved by a roll call vote.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.