HB 20-1426 Summary

• Requires the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council and Joint Budget Committee to hold joint meetings in March, August, and December each year if a disaster emergency has been declared by the Governor since the previous meeting, with meetings waivable by majority vote.

• Mandates the Governor or designee appear at joint committee meetings to provide comprehensive information about current disaster emergencies and respond to legislative questions.

• Requires the Governor and state agencies to promptly notify the General Assembly of any executive orders or other orders issued in connection with disaster emergencies.

• Establishes quarterly reporting requirements to the Joint Budget Committee on expenditures from the disaster emergency fund, including amounts transferred, encumbrances, receiving agencies, and detailed breakdowns, with initial report due September 20, 2020.

• Requires reporting to the Joint Budget Committee on federal disaster funds and one-time federal funds received and expended by the state, posted on the Office of State Planning and Budgeting website, with State Auditor to conduct performance and financial audits of the disaster emergency fund.

• Extends the repeal dates from September 1, 2020 to September 1, 2025 for multiple statutes governing transfers between departments and budget authority limits.