TITLE: CONCERNING THE COMMISSIONING OF A BLUE RIBBON STUDY OF THE FISCAL POLICIES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN COLORADO.

Fiscal Impact Summary	FY 1999/2000	FY 2000/2001
State Revenues General Fund
State Expenditures General Fund	$142,507	$119,282
FTE Position Change	3.0 FTE	3.0 FTE
Other State Impact: None
Effective Date: 90 days after adjournment
Appropriation Summary for FY 1999-2000: $122,255 GF and 2.5 FTE to the Legislative Council and $20,252 GF and 0.5 FTE to the Office of Legislative Legal Services.
Local Government Impact: None

This bill commissions a blue ribbon study of the fiscal policies of state and local governments, including the effects of government organization and structure of current fiscal policies, and the effects of the fiscal policies on the ability of Colorado businesses to be competitive in local, national, and international markets.

• a thorough review and evaluation of the overall effectiveness and impact of state and local government fiscal policies;

• to communicate with and obtain input from groups throughout the state affected by state and local government fiscal policies;

• to identify fiscal policies and related government organization and structure and tax compliance requirements in need of revision; and

• to provide guidance and make recommendations to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly.

The blue ribbon study would address issues including equity, stability, additional revenue sources, and issues concerning government organization and structure that impact fiscal policies. The Director of Research of the Legislative Council would conduct the study in conjunction with institutions of higher education, and with appropriate private nonprofit organizations or foundations. The study would include analysis of recent tax studies; consideration of the tax systems of other states; and consideration of the importance of dependable, rational, and equitable tax systems. The Director of Research of the Legislative Council would be authorized to receive contributions, grants, services, and in-kind donations from any private entity to be expended for direct or indirect costs associated with the blue ribbon study.

A report of the study findings and recommendations would be submitted to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2001.

The bill requires the Director of Research of the Legislative Council to conduct the study in conjunction with institutions of higher education, and with appropriate private nonprofit organizations or foundations. It is anticipated that the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of Legislative Legal Services would require additional staff resources in FY 1999-00 and FY 2000-01. Table 1 identifies the staff requirements:

	FY 1999-00	FY 2000-01
Legislative Council Personal Services - 2.5 FTE 1.0 FTE Economist I (85/1) 1.0 FTE Economist II (91/1) 0.5 FTE Staff Asst. (80/1) (includes PERA & Medicare) Subtotal	$34,993 40,504 15,533 $91,030	$34,993 40,504 15,533 $91,030
Operating Expenses	5,000	5,000
Capital Outlay - Furniture	4,000	0
Capital Outlay - Computers (with basic software) Econometric & GIS software	10,000 12,225	3,000
Legislative Council Staff Subtotal (3.0 FTE)	$122,255	$99,030
0.5 FTE OLLS Staff Attorney (85/4)	$20,252	$20,252
TOTAL COSTS (3.0 FTE)	$142,507	$119,282

Pursuant to the Joint Budget Committee’s budget policies, the following expenditures have not been included in this fiscal note:

The fiscal note implies that the Legislative Council would require a General Fund appropriation of $122,255 and 2.5 FTE in FY 1999-00 to implement the provisions of the bill. In addition, the Office of Legislative Legal Services would require a General Fund appropriation of $20,252 and 0.5 FTE in FY 1999-00.