Creates the Legislative Committee on the Reduction of Nonessential State Expenditures. (BDR 17-929)

Existing law creates various committees consisting of Legislators to study specified issues and perform other activities during the interim between legislative sessions. (See, e.g., NRS 218E.150-218E.815) Section 5 of this bill creates the Legislative Committee on the Reduction of Nonessential State Expenditures as a statutory interim committee and provides for its membership. Section 6 of this bill provides for the meetings of the Committee, prescribes the manner in which meetings must be conducted and provides for the compensation of the members of the Committee. Section 7 of this bill prescribes the duties of the Committee, including the review and evaluation of issues relating to state governmental spending and efficiency. Specifically, section 7 requires the Committee to: (1) identify areas in which state expenditures may be eliminated or avoided; (2) identify areas in which state expenditures may be reduced; (3) investigate alleged instances within state agencies of abuse, fraud or waste with respect to public money; and (4) make recommendations for corrective action by such an agency relating to such an investigation. Section 7 also requires a state agency to collaborate with the Committee in carrying out its duties and to provide the Committee with certain information upon request. Section 8 of this bill authorizes the Committee to: (1) conduct investigations and hold hearings; (2) request that the Legislative Counsel Bureau assist in the research, investigations, hearings and reviews of the Committee; and (3) recommend legislation concerning state governmental spending and efficiency. Section 8 also requires the Committee to submit to the Legislature a biennial report describing its activities. Section 8 also authorizes the Committee to submit such additional reports to the Interim Finance Committee or the Legislature as it deems appropriate. Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this bill define certain terms for the purposes of this bill.