The Senate Appropriations Committee reported SPB 7024 favorably after senators described the bill as a modernization and simplification of the state long-range planning program for agencies.

Senator Broder, who presented the committee bill, said the measure pares the long-range planning program down to key data points, removes provisions judged to be stale, and updates the process for agencies to present plans to the Legislature. "This bill takes the long range planning program and simplifies it to key data points," Broder said.

Supporters said the bill improves oversight and will require agencies to report on implementation of legislation. Senator Berman said she welcomed language that would track whether legislative measures were actually implemented and that lack of implementation would carry budgetary consequences.

Broder moved to submit SPB 7024 as a committee bill; no objection was recorded, and the committee called the roll and reported the bill favorably. The committee record shows broad support without substantial public comment at the hearing.

The bill will proceed with committee bill status to subsequent Senate consideration.