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,1,LER C
COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20348
UN TEV
-3- _ J1n70r2 5. 1,79
The Honorable James Macdonell
Auditor General of Canada 6DS 3
240 Sparks Street L
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIA OG6
Dear Jim:
While visiting with Mr. Clark during my recent trip to
Ottawa, I promised to respond through you to his questions
about theLstatus of sunset legislation in the various States
nd'de additiomation onth_Ls--l-eg-i-s--a-t-io-ri at
the Federal leveL]
Mr. Clark had asked which of the States might be an
appropriate starting point for discussion of the subject in
Canada. Colorado, which passed the Nation's first sunset
legislation, might be a good one although limited to regulatory
activities. They have had a generally positive experience, but
have also recognized some mistakes in their process and are
working to correct them. A less sanguine example, but one that
is instructive in terms of mistakes to avoid, appears to be the
Alabama experience. There it seems that the State Legislature
overwhelmed itself with the required review of State agencies;
there simply was not the capability to do any serious review or
evaluation for even a small percentage of the agencies on which
a termination vote was required. These cases and the experiences
of 27 other States that have enacted some form of sunset legis-
lation are discussed in the enclosure Making Government Work:
A Common Cause Report on State Sunset Activity. This document
includes an overview of sunset considerations and brief descrip-
tions of each State's experience. In addition an individual is
identified in each State from whom additional information may
be requested. The diversity of State sunset experience should
certainly be of benefit to those who are now contemplating its
introduction to either State or Federal spheres.
Another fine source of information is the report prepared
by the State Bar of Texas titled Sunset Legislation in the
United States. This report provides an in-depth view of the
problems and issues considered by the Texas Legislature in its
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