§ 19-4-1301 - Legislative intent and purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

19-4-1301. Legislative intent and purpose.

(a) This subchapter is intended to be an addition to the provisions of the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, 19-4-101 et seq., and other fiscal laws of this state. This subchapter is enacted for the purpose of imposing additional duties and responsibilities upon the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State to monitor state expenditures and financial obligations in order to assure that all state agencies, programs, and services plan and use the funds provided or made available for the support of the essential services of government within their respective jurisdictions. This monitoring shall be done without incurring obligations or commitments which would exhaust the available funds within a time frame of less than twelve (12) months or which would create deficits.

(b) The General Assembly is cognizant of the economic recession that has reduced the growth of state revenues that are available for the operation of many of the programmed commitments or expansions of services of government. By this subchapter the General Assembly intends to strengthen the responsibilities and duties of the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State to provide for the planned and orderly, yet rigid, enforcement of the various laws of this state designed to protect against deficit spending.

(c) It is further the intent and purpose of this subchapter to mandate that all public officials, administrators, and employees charged with the responsibility of administering and disbursing state funds be held strictly accountable for the administration of the programs under their jurisdiction. Those officials, administrators, and employees shall periodically reevaluate and modify, if necessary, the various programs and services under their respective jurisdiction to assure the orderly providing of the greatest possible level of essential services and programs on a regular twelve-month basis, within the limitation of the funds available.

(d) The General Assembly further recognizes that many agencies may have to evaluate and curtail projected or planned program expansions. Many agencies may also have to exercise options to reduce the levels of existing services or program commitments to keep the projected expenditures for such programs or services within the limitations of funds estimated to be available therefor, as provided in this subchapter. It is the intention of the General Assembly that each state agency review its ongoing obligations and services and make the necessary adjustments to provide the greatest possible level of essential services commensurate with the funds available on a year-round, twelve-month basis.