Lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly want to launch a Pennsylvania Department of Government Efficiency — or PA DOGE — that would be tasked with rooting out government waste and improving fiscal accountability across state agencies.

Earlier this year, Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-Cranberry Twp., announced plans to introduce legislation requiring the auditor general to conduct efficiency audits of major commonwealth spending programs.

In a memo seeking co-sponsors, Scialabba stated that the federal government continues to make efficiency gains, and “it’s past time for Pennsylvania to turn our own focus to state government bloat and waste.”

A more comprehensive bill being crafted by Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Chambersburg, would establish both a PA DOGE and a bipartisan oversight committee to which it would report.

According to Mastriano’s co-sponsorship memo, the committee would consist of one House and Senate member from each party, a leadership member from both chambers, and representatives from the Treasury and Auditor General’s offices. In addition, two “everyday citizens” would serve on the committee to provide additional insight, ensuring community representation in fiscal decisions.

The proposed department would have broad auditing authority. It would also have the ability to temporarily suspend payments pending committee review and recommend eliminating departments or agencies it deems wasteful.

Upon final vote, any payments deemed unnecessary will be suspended immediately, and any “unspent” funds returned to the General Fund — “reinforcing our commitment to accountability and responsible governance,” the memo states.

The department would be “answerable and reportable to the Legislature, ensuring that elected representatives — who control the purse strings — maintain oversight over government spending.”

The Center Square spoke with state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who noted that while the bills have not yet been formally introduced, her office has met with Mastriano and others interested in discussing ways to achieve their goal.

Garrity said her office processes payments for roughly 70 state agencies, amounting to around 19 million transactions annually.