Summary: The proposed "Program Evaluation Act of 1977" would require that Congress periodically reauthorize related Federal programs. The bill would establish a schedule of termination dates for nearly all programs grouped by budget subfunctions. The key ingredient necessary to achieve effective review of programs is legislative commitment to the oversight process, coupled with some form of discipline to trigger the oversight activity, and the careful study of programs, policy issues, and alternatives for improvement. Congress should consider alternative ways of articulating this legislative commitment and triggering the review process to avoid the problems associated with the threat of actual program termination. The set of programs that are reviewed together should depend on the issues involved and the objectives of the review rather than on an arbitrary determination of budget subfunction. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to conduct the kind of comprehensive evaluations anticipated within the time-frames established in the bill. Periodic review and reconsideration of tax expenditures should also be included, as should transition provisions for programs which are to be terminated. GAO should be given the responsibility for compiling and maintaining an inventory of Federal programs.
