In the 2021 General Session, the Legislature passed H.B. 326, “Performance Reporting and Efficiency Requirements,” which codified and expanded performance measurement and created an efficiency improvement process for operations at state agencies. The legislation was novel in that it requires extensive collaboration across the legislative and executive branches of government, including between the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, the Office of the Legislative Auditor General (OLAG), and state agencies. In accordance with the legislation, each December LFA and GOPB report to the Governor and the Legislative Management Committee on the status of the efficiency improvement process and any recommended changes.
LFA and GOPB provided the December 2022 report on December 13th. More information about the vision and operation of the program is available in the December 2021 and May 2022 reports.
Performance Measurement
In 2022, LFA and GOPB significantly expanded the functionality of the performance measure database. Agencies report all measure results into the database and analysts from LFA and GOPB review and approve measures, or work with agencies to improve those measures. Currently the database houses over 1,500 measures. The results of measures can currently be found in two places:
- Compendium of Budget Information (COBI) – for ongoing measures that are set by the Legislature, tied to line items in the budget, and ideally focused on outcomes
- Funding Item Follow-Up Report – FY 2022 – for new allocations of funding for a new or existing program appropriated by the Legislature in a legislative session, which cost over $10,000 from state funds
Efficiency Improvement Process
In May 2022, LFA and GOPB began the first efficiency evaluations of state agencies. This year’s evaluations included:
- Division of Technology Services (DTS): Procurement of Low-Cost IT Products (October 2022)
- Office of the Medical Examiner (OME): Final Reports of Examination (December 2022)
- Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT): Transportation Technician Training (February 2023)
Per statute, these reports are directed to the agency, who is then responsible for implementing the recommendations. OLAG is directed to provide follow up and oversight of implementation.
Other Initiatives and Recognition
This performance and efficiency initiatives work has been recognized by national organizations for Utah’s innovative approach to performance measurement and efficiency improvement. With the support of the Speaker, President, and Governor, Utah joined the Governing for Results Network, an initiative of the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments. The network has been keen to work with LFA and GOPB, particularly because the collaboration between the legislative and executive branches is quite unique. Additionally, for the fourth year in a row, Utah was recognized by Results for America as a leading state for the use of data and evidence. This year, Results for America recognized Utah’s increased capacity to use performance measurement to affect good government.