NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Education (SDE)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SB 729 appropriates $110,000 to the Administrative Office of the Courts to support the statewide child abuse and neglect citizen review board program.

Significant Issues

The AOC does not currently oversee or provide administrative support for the operation of the statewide citizen review board program. Funding for the operation of the citizen review board program is currently appropriated to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

SB 729 appropriates $110,00 to the Administrative Office of the Courts from the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

The AOC recognizes the appropriation is needed to help the program keep up with an increasing caseload, but does not support SB 729 because $110,000 is not part of the Chief Judges' Council unified judicial budget request for specific prioritized needs for the judiciary.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The AOC claims that if funding to support the citizen review board statewide is appropriated to the AOC, HB 729 will create additional administrative procedures and oversight responsibilities requiring staff and support services.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Why is the funding in HB 729 appropriated to AOC when the program is currently in D.F.A.?

DW/njw