BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to accountability in state government; amending RCW 43.17.260; amending 1991 c 53 s 1 (uncodified); adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and recodifying RCW 43.17.260.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Commission" means the Washington state commission for efficiency and accountability in government.

(2) "Performance audit" means: (a) Identifying the appropriate statutory mandates and limitations that apply to a government agency; (b) determining whether an agency is complying with its statutory mandates; (c) recommending corrective action, if necessary; (d) identifying appropriate standards for management practices and operation; (e) determining the extent to which an agency is complying with the standards; and (f) recommending ways an agency can improve its performance and efficiency.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The commission shall conduct performance audits of each government entity identified in this section during the years listed under subsection (2) of this section and every eight years subsequently.

(2) The government entities to be audited under subsection (1) of this section and the years for the initial audit are as follows:

(a) 1994:

(i) Department of labor and industries;

(ii) Department of wildlife; and

(iii) State lottery commission;

(b) 1995:

(i) Department of general administration;

(ii) Department of information services;

(iii) Department of licensing; and

(iv) Department of revenue;

(i) Department of ecology;

(ii) Employment security department;

(iii) Washington state gambling commission; and

(iv) Washington state liquor control board; and

(d) 1997:

(i) Office of the insurance commissioner;

(ii) State investment board; and

(iii) State treasurer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The government entity being audited shall pay the cost of performance audits conducted by the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The commission shall, under chapter 39.29 RCW, obtain and utilize the services of private firms with sufficient professional staff possessing the education, training, and practical experience auditing private and governmental entities necessary to conduct the performance audits required under this chapter.

Sec. 5. RCW 43.17.260 and 1987 c 480 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby created a ((~~temporary~~)) commission to be known as the Washington state commission for efficiency and accountability in government((~~, hereafter referred to as the commission~~)).

(2) The commission shall consist of fourteen members as follows:

(a) Six members appointed by the governor including but not limited to representatives from private sector business and industry, labor unions, and public interest organizations;

(b) Three members appointed jointly by the president of the senate and speaker of the house including but not limited to representatives from private sector business and industry, labor unions, and public interest organizations;

(c) One representative from each of the four legislative caucuses to be appointed by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house; and

(d) The governor shall be a member and the chair of the commission.

The vice-chair shall be selected by the commission.

(3) Nonlegislative members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses for attending meetings of the commission as provided for in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Legislative members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses for attending meetings of the commission as provided for in RCW 44.04.120.

Sec. 6. 1991 c 53 s 1 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

Sections 2 through 5 of this act shall expire December 31, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. RCW 43.17.260 is recodified as a new section in chapter 43.-- RCW (sections 1 through 4 of this act).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.