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House wants LB to hold on to assets
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Posted on Feb 28 2006
The House of Representatives passed a measure yesterday that would ensure that office equipment and supplies belonging to the Legislature remained with the Legislature.
The House adopted the recommendation of the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations to pass House Bill 15-20.
The measure would prevent outgoing legislators from distributing their office equipment and supplies to other government entities at the end of their terms.
The proposed legislation would require the Legislative Bureau to maintain an inventory of all fixed assets and capital goods purchased by either house of the Legislature and to account for the custody and disposition of those items. The comprehensive inventory would be conducted 30 days before the each legislative term expires.
Furthermore, each elected official would be personally liable for the value of any unaccounted fixed asset or capital good purchased under his authority.
It was learned that some former members of the Legislature have distributed filing cabinets, computer systems, desks, chairs and other furniture to other government agencies when they vacated their office after the elections.
The JGO Committee noted that, although this practice benefits the receiving party, it creates additional financial burden to the incoming member and the Legislative Bureau.
To reduce the unnecessary financial expenses for incoming members, the Legislature’s equipment and supplies should be left intact when a member leaves office.
