The Student Association Senate passed a finance bill Nov. 23 to require the Senate to post proposed student group allocations 36 hours before the meeting at which they will come up for a vote.

Undergraduate Sen. Jared Hosid (CSAS), a sponsor of the bill, said the intention of the bill, which will go into effect at the mid-year allocations, is to give student groups every possible opportunity to provide information to senators about their organization.

“The allocation bill was completed last minute last year and sent in an e-mail marked `confidential’ to all senators the night before the meeting where we were to vote on it,” Hosid said. “The first opportunity for student groups to find out their proposed allocation was at the Senate meeting. That didn’t give them much time to lobby their senators. It was like they had no say in the matter.”

Graduate Sen. J.P. Blackford (SEAS), chair of the finance committee, said he agrees it is a strong bill.

“I think it’s a good idea to set up a standard so it settles things for this year and years after,” Blackford said.

SA President Carrie Potter said she agrees it is an important bill and expects to sign it.

Michael Moran, president of Campus Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts, said he feels the bill will help student groups lobby their senators and create a better atmosphere for student groups seeking allocations.

“I’ve been to meetings, and I’ve had to kind of scramble to even get a copy of the bill and find out what our allocation was, let alone lobby senators,” Moran said.

Hosid said he feels this bill is taking an important step toward making the Senate more accountable.

“People are always telling us we’re not accountable, but this is going to create that bit of honesty and openness,” Hosid said. “This is the first financial reform of this senate. This is an important step, and we’re on our way.”