SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6317

                    AS OF JANUARY 31, 1994

Brief Description:  Requiring accountability for fees by governmental agencies.

SPONSORS: Senators Haugen, Oke, Owen, Bauer, Winsley and M. Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1994

BACKGROUND:

When the state or local governmental agencies impose a fee for service they provide, there is no requirement that the governmental agency relate the fee to the service given.  There already exists in law the Regulatory Fairness Act and the Business Assistance Center. 

SUMMARY:

When a state or local government proposes a fee, it shall prepare an economic impact statement.  This statement shall include a standardized checklist prepared by the Business Assistance Center using the guidelines already established for the contents of a small business economic impact statement.  The governmental agency shall complete this standardized checklist.  By referring to the Regulatory Fairness Act, the checklist includes items such as a description of the reporting and other compliance requirements of the proposed fee, the kinds of professional services likely needed to comply with these requirements and the costs of compliance.

The requirement that the governmental agency relate the fee to the service given is placed in the Administrative Procedure Act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1994