Fiscal volatility report bill amended, advanced

A strategic plan requirement for the state Department of Correctional Services was amended into a bill March 30 that would require the Legislature’s fiscal office to report on revenue volatility.

LB33, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, would require the fiscal office to produce a revenue volatility report in advance of new biennial budgets. Mello said the report would assist the Legislature in preparing for potential economic downturns and strengthening state fiscal policy.

Mello offered an amendment during select file debate, adopted 33-1, which he originally introduced as LB32.

The amendment would require the state Department of Correctional Services to include a strategic plan in their budget appropriation requests for the biennium ending June 30, 2019, and the biennium ending June 30, 2021. The plan would identify the main purpose of each departmental program and provide key goals that the department believes are fair measures of its progress.

Mello said recent issues with the department have shown that it should be subject to a greater level of scrutiny in budgetary matters.

“The Legislature has passed similar strategic planning measures in recent years,” Mello said, including one for the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The plan also would include benchmarks for improving performance on key goals and time frames for meeting them. The department would be required to report to the Judiciary and Appropriations committees by Sept. 15, 2017, and each year after until 2021.

Following adoption of the Mello amendment, the bill was advanced to final reading by voice vote.