HB0197 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05770 RLJ 45835 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB0197

Introduced 01/18/11, by Rep. Tom Cross

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Act. Provides that the Commission shall consist of 18 voting members. Sets forth the appointment of the members. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to assist the State in reducing State spending and to balance the State's budget. Provides that, within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, the Commission must submit its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that, if the Commission adopts the report by a three-fifths vote, then the General Assembly must, within 14 days after the report is filed by the Commission, vote on whether to accept the report by the adoption of a resolution. Abolishes the Commission on the day after the Commission submits its report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Act.

Section 10. Establishment of Commission.

(a) The Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is established. The Commission shall consist of 18 voting members as follows: 6 members of the Illinois House of Representatives, 3 appointed by the Speaker of the House and 3 appointed by the House Minority Leader; 6 members of the Illinois Senate, 3 appointed by the Senate President and 3 appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; and 6 members, with no more than 4 from the same political party, who shall be appointed by the Governor. Members shall serve without compensation.

(b) As soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, the Commission shall meet.

(c) The Commission shall be provided assistance and necessary staff support services by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

Section 15. Purposes of Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to make recommendations to assist the State in reducing State spending and to balance the State's budget in order to improve the State's long-term fiscal stability. The Commission's recommendations must focus on the following areas:

(1) discretionary State spending,

(2) State tax reform and simplification,

(3) cost containment in publicly-financed health care,

(4) specific areas in which State agencies could be required to reduce expenditures,

(5) State budget and accounting practices, and

(6) measures to reform the actuarial status of State-managed pension systems.

Section 20. Report. Within 60 days after the effective date of this Act, the Commission must vote on its recommendations and submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. If the Commission adopts the report by a three-fifths vote, then the General Assembly must, within 14 days after the report is filed by the Commission, vote on whether to accept the report by the adoption of a resolution by a record vote of a majority of the members elected in each house. If the General Assembly is not in session on the day that the report is filed, then the General Assembly must vote on whether to accept the report within 14 days after the General Assembly convenes for the first time after the report is filed.

The Commission is abolished on the day after the report is submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.