Strategic Program Area Review. The SPAR process consists of four phases. In the first phase, JLBC Staff, in consultation with OSPB, agree upon a list of program areas to be reviewed in the next SPAR cycle. The selfassessment is submitted to OSPB and JLBC Staff on June 1 of every odd-numbered year. In the third phase, OSPB and JLBC Staff jointly review the selfassessments, gather any additional information, and prepare a report of their findings for each of the program areas.
Agencies review the draft and their written responses are included in the published reports.
The final joint reports, as well as the Executive Summary, are generally published by November and presented to each Legislator, the Governor, and the affected agencies. The SPAR process directs the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate to assign the strategic program areas to the Appropriations Committee or other standing committee. These committees are charged with holding, at least, one public hearing on recommendations. These committees are charged with making the final REM recommendations and with drafting any legislation needed to implement the recommendations. All three were retained.