Panel advances bill to create legislative overview mechanism for large federal funds

Representative Lim introduced House Bill 1131 during the State Planning & Community Affairs committee meeting on Feb. 9, 2022, saying the measure would create a legislative overview mechanism to improve transparency around large federal funding streams and to help constituents find and understand how federal funds are being used in their communities.

"It is tailored after the overview mechanism and the 1 Georgia authority," Representative Lim said, describing the board as a tool for legislators and residents to see how funds are expended and to help reduce duplication and identify problems in administration.

Lim said the mechanism would apply to limited‑time emergencies or formula funding above a threshold identified in the bill (the bill language cited formula funding over $1,000,000,000) and would not alter the governor’s formal authority to decide how funds are expended. "To be clear, it will not affect the decision making that rests in our our governor," Lim said.

Representative Camp confirmed the committee design would mirror the One Georgia structure: "it would be 3 members from the house, 3 members from the senate, and 3 members from the governor's office who comprise this board." Lim added the governor's office had been consulted and expressed support.

Members asked operational questions about periodicity, staffing and authority. Lim said the bill intentionally uses flexible "periodically" language to allow the committee to act when funds are relevant, while also requiring an annual report "on or before the first day of January of each year" when applicable. Lim said staff support would be handled by existing offices (House Budget and Research Office, Senate Budget and Research Office and the Office of Planning and Budget), and that reports and proceedings would be public and posted online.

Representative Singleton asked whether the committee would have enforcement authority to direct or hold funds accountable; Lim replied that the bill does not change statutory spending authority and that the committee's role is to surface information and accountability through transparency.

The committee moved and seconded to approve HB 1131 and adopted a do‑pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee also announced that House Bill 530 would be postponed to the next meeting because of a conflict.

Ending: HB 1131 advanced from committee with a do‑pass recommendation; the committee directed that reports and proceedings be public and rely on existing budget/reporting offices for staff support.