Legislative Mandates: State Experiences Offer Insights for Federal Action
HRD-88-75
Published: Sep 27, 1988. Publicly Released: Sep 27, 1988.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed state and federal attempts to deal with legislative mandates imposed on lower levels of government, focusing on: (1) their processes for estimating the mandates' cost impacts; and (2) states' reimbursement practices for such costs.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to ask the Congressional Budget Office to prepare state and local cost estimates for selected proposed legislation scheduled for subcommittee or full committee markup. Consultation with state and local government interest groups could help legislators identify significant mandate legislation warranting these estimates. Committees and members should also consider requesting estimates for floor amendments with potentially significant effects on state and local costs. Committees and members should request estimates on appropriation and tax bills that are identified as potentially affecting state and local costs. | The Congressional Budget Office has seen no indication of committees and members requesting cost estimates to be done earlier on selected legislation affecting state and local governments. Further, an interest group representing state legislatures is now monitoring congressional action on bills affecting state and local governments, which can help to focus congressional support. |
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Topics
Cost analysisstate relationsLegislative proceduresLocal governmentsProjectionsProposed legislationCost estimatesInterest groupsLegislatorsPublic officials