Senate Committee on -- Select -- Government Accountability (02/08/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON -- SELECT -- GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Date:	02/08/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	12:08 PM to 12:28 PM	Hanna	E
		Owen	X
Place:	SCR 354	Teck	X
		Grossman	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Groff	X
	Senator Groff

This Report was prepared by
	Jeanette Chapman
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Select Committee on Government Accountability		-

12:09 PM -- Senate Select Committee on Government Accountability

Senator Groff made opening comments about the purpose of the committee's meeting: to determine the focus of the committee's study over the course of the session. He also indicated interest in determining when the committee might meet, and possible individuals who might testify. He asked for comments from committee members. He suggested Wednesdays from noon to 1:30, possibly every other Wednesday. The committee determined that they would meet every Wednesday, following the meeting of February 22.

12:13 PM

Senator Grossman suggested talking about the scope and purpose of the committee. Senator Teck asked about whether, and how, the department heads would come before the committee. He asked about the department heads' willingness or ability to come before the committee to testify. Senator Groff stated that it was his impression that the Governor's office would have less reluctance to send department heads before a committee comprised of only legislative members rather than a committee similar to the Procurement Committee from the 2005 interim. There was discussion about the committee's intent that the committee identify possible efficiencies, find out how to be more accountable with taxpayer money, and better monitor contracts.

12:16 PM

Senator Grossman suggested outside entities such as the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), or Council of State Governments (CSG), that might be able to provide a summary of what other states have done regarding state procurement issues. Senator Teck recommended NCSL as a more likely candidate for that type of information than CSG. Other recommendations were: having Dr. John Witwer come to talk about the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS); hearing from the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) about the state's information technology procurement process; identifying a professor or university official who might have some expertise in state procurement issues;and having the American Electronics Association send a member who is involved with information technology and purchasing issues.

12:27 PM

The committee agreed to meet in two weeks to begin deliberations.

12:28 PM

The committee adjourned.