HB 7033 Summary

• Establishes the Office of Governmental Accountability to consolidate personnel, payroll, affirmative action, administrative, and information technology functions for nine independent agencies and boards effective October 1, 2015.

• The consolidated agencies include the Office of State Ethics, State Elections Enforcement Commission, Freedom of Information Commission, Judicial Review Council, Judicial Selection Commission, Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, Office of the Child Advocate, Office of the Victim Advocate, and State Contracting Standards Board.

• Protects the independent decision-making authority of all consolidated agencies, including their control over budgetary decisions and employment of staff for statutory duties.

• Creates a nine-member Governmental Accountability Commission composed of the heads of each consolidated agency to recommend executive administrator candidates to the Governor and determine employment termination.

• Clarifies that commission members may designate representatives, but designees cannot be state employees.