HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 833

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Sprenkle, Cooper, Jacobsen, Pruitt, Bristow, Valle, K. Wilson, Kremen, Cantwell, Grant, Crane, Ebersole, Todd, J. Williams, Sanders and P. King) 

Creating Washington state efficiency study commission.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (7)

     Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Peery, Vice Chair; Baugher, Hankins, O'Brien, Taylor and Walk.

House Staff:Pam Madson (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Taxpayer discontent and lack of public trust in government have contributed to an increased interest in the state's productivity and efficiency.

Productivity encompasses those programs, procedures, techniques, and processes that improve governmental performance and operations.

In 1965, the state of Washington formed a ninety-member council to study and evaluate the operations of 37 departments, agencies, commissions and boards including the Governor's Office.  Six hundred and seventy recommendations were issued.  The study was financed by over 260 state business and industry organizations.

Similar efforts were recently undertaken in the states of Ohio (1983), North Carolina (1985), and West Virginia (1985), all utilizing private sector management specialists and funding.

SUMMARY:

The State Efficiency Study Commission is created to conduct a study of efficiency in state government in order to improve management and to reduce costs.  Private sector contributions shall fund the commission.  The commission shall consist of nineteen members, including citizen members from private sector business and industry; labor and public interest organizations; the executive branch of state government; and a representative from each of the four legislative caucuses.  Members are appointed by the governor.  Commission members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses.

The commission shall present its study recommendations to the governor and the legislature on December 1, 1988.  These recommendations may include the following suggestions:  (1) legislation and executive action to increase efficiency and reduce costs in state government; (2) ways of improving management and administrative control, and making management more accountable; (3) specific areas where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (4) information concerning governmental expenditures, indebtedness, and personnel management.

The commission will expire on December 31, 1989.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  The commission is renamed the Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability in Government.  There shall be fourteen members, six appointed by the governor and three appointed by the legislature, to include representatives from private sector business and industry, labor unions, and public interest organizations.  The legislature shall select a member from each legislative caucus.  The governor shall be a member and chair of the commission with the vice chair selected by the commission.  The commission shall develop recommendations to enhance executive accountability and organizational soundness; enhance legislative oversight and program accountability; and improve managerial competence.  A list of programs of major fiscal impact shall be prepared for review by the commission.  The commission shall develop a four-year plan for review of selected programs, establish the scope of review and select review teams.  The four-year plan shall be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 1987, and annually thereafter, the commission shall report recommendations for legislative and executive action. Program review activity will be privately funded.  Staff for the commission shall be provided by OFM and the legislature.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     (on substitute bill) Representative Art Sprenkle, prime sponsor; and Representative Bob Williams.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     (on substitute bill) Improving the level of trust in government can result when government is managed efficiently.  Efforts to evaluate government and recommend measures to increase the state's productivity require broad- based, bipartisan support to be successful.  Such efforts have been successful in other states within the last five years.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Yeas 89; Nays 4; Absent 2; Excused 3

Voting Nay:     Representatives Allen, Amondson, Beck and Belcher

Absent:    Representatives Basich and Lux

Excused:   Representatives Hankins, Nealey and B. Williams