Top leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate have proposed creating a legislative budget office to provide legislators "nonpartisan, accurate, and timely information on the fiscal impact of proposed legislation."
The bills, introduced Monday, come after Republicans late last week questioned a report issued just hours ahead of a floor vote on a GOP-sponsored bill that would revise teacher seniority rules that guide layoffs.
The report, known as a fiscal note, was prepared by the Department of Education and approved by the Minnesota Management and Budget Office (MMB).
Under the current structure, fiscal notes are prepared by agencies who would be affected by proposed legislation. It is then approved by MMB. Lawmakers from both parties have in the past questioned analysis, raising questions of partisanship.
The House bill is sponsored by Republican Speaker Kurt Daudt of Crown and Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers. The Senate companion bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk of Cook.
It would require that state departments and agencies, as well as the state Supreme Court, provide information to the proposed Legislative Budget Office.
