Section 171.557 - State budget policy(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that there is a need for a comprehensive, specific budget format available to all members of the Legislative Assembly so that: (a) Effective policy decisions can be made;(b) Line items in agency budgets can be identified by program function;(c) Decisions to increase or decrease agency budgets can be made with knowledge as to policy and programmatic impact; and(d) A more objective comparison can be made to the Governor's budget.(2) The Legislative Assembly also finds that the goal of the legislative budgeting process is to afford members a thorough understanding of:(a) The policies of state government regarding the definition and delivery of state services;(b) What program functions are necessary to state operations and the cost of these functions; and(c) The means whereby these policies and programs are administered.(3) The goal of the Legislative Assembly is to decide, as a body, which policies and programs are necessary to discharge its public responsibilities. Consequently, the Legislative Assembly finds that there is a need to examine the legislative budgeting process so that: (a) Policy decisions are made by the Legislative Assembly as a whole;(b) Program functions are more closely identified with line items in agency budgets;(c) Funding options and priorities are defined in terms of policies; and(d) Legislative budgeting identifies programs which are necessary in terms of policies and state responsibilities, as opposed to the need to maintain existing program activities.Amended by 2016 Ch. 117,§ 37, eff. 4/4/2016.