House Government Oversight Committee To Hold First Hearing/Meeting Oct. 21 & 30 On An Issue Known Only As Investigation 1-2019

The House Government Oversight Committee has scheduled its first hearing and voting meeting on October 21 and 30 on an issued identified only as Investigation 1-2019.

The issue is listed on the public agenda as "Investigation 1-2019" because under the rules of the Committee all issues are confidential until the Committee holds a hearing or voting meeting.

The Committee was formed in January at the beginning of the new session to investigate matters referred to it by the House Speaker, Majority Leader or the Minority Leader.

The Republicans have five members and the Democrats have four. 

The idea for the Committee came from legislation introduced by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) last session-- House Bill 2026-- and he was appointed the first Majority Chair of the Committee this year.

“The goal of this Committee is to create a culture of oversight in the House,” Rep. Grove said. “Specifically, we will ensure laws passed by the Legislature meets their legislative goals.”  

Among the purposes of the Committee laid out in House Bill 2026 were to "review the programs of Commonwealth agencies to determine whether the programs meet the needs of the residents of this Commonwealth."

Again, according to the legislation, an oversight study of an agency program was to determine--

-- Whether a program is being implemented and administered in accordance with legislative intent;

-- Whether a program should be continued, curtailed or eliminated;

-- Whether the laws of this Commonwealth regarding the Commonwealth agency are being enforced in accordance with legislative intent; and

-- Whether the laws of this Commonwealth regarding the Commonwealth agency should be amended or repealed.

The Committee, according to House Bill 2026, was to consider several factors in making these judgements--

-- The application, administration, execution and effectiveness of the laws of this Commonwealth on a program;

-- The organization and operation of the Commonwealth agency;

-- Conditions or circumstances that may indicate the necessity or desirability of enacting additional laws of this Commonwealth for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a program; and

-- Conditions or circumstances that may indicate the necessity or desirability of repealing laws of this Commonwealth for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a program.

Early targets of House Republicans in the past for these kinds of “oversight” reviews have been environmental protection programs and the Department of Environmental Protection, but it is not known yet what “Investigation 1-2019” involves.

The hearing on Investigation 1-2019 will be held on October 21 in Room 140 starting at 8:30 a.m.

The voting meeting on Investigation 1-2019 will be held on October 30 in Room 140 starting at 9:00.

Normally, the House Republican Caucus website will carry committee hearings and meetings live.

Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee, and can be contacted by calling 717-783-2655 or sending email to: sgrove@pahousegop.com.  Rep. Matthew Bradford (D-Montgomery) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee, and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1540 or sending email to: mbradford@pahouse.net.