HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1038

                              As Passed House

                               March 8, 1991

Title:  An act relating to the commission on efficiency and accountability.

Brief Description:  Extending the commission for efficiency and accountability an additional four years.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Kremen, McLean, Orr, Heavey, R. Meyers, Dorn, Holland, Mielke, Basich, Vance, Paris, Wineberry, Zellinsky, May, H. Myers, Peery, Phillips, Silver, R. Johnson, Sprenkle, Spanel, Sheldon, Wood, Miller, Ogden, Rayburn, Jones, Ludwig, O'Brien, Leonard, Haugen, Inslee, Franklin, Fraser, Braddock, R. King, Pruitt, Cantwell, G. Fisher, Jacobsen, Valle, Roland, Hine, Morris, Rasmussen and Brekke; by request of Governor Gardner.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 15, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 9, 1991, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:

  In 1987, the Legislature created the Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability in Government (Efficiency Commission).  The commission's purpose is to develop recommendations to 1) increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government programs and reduce costs, 2) enhance executive accountability, 3) enhance legislative oversight and program accountability, and 4) improve managerial competence and workforce productivity.

The commission has 14 members.  The governor is a member and chairs the commission.  Nine members represent at least private sector business interests, labor unions, and public interest organizations.  One member comes from each of the four legislative caucuses.  The commission is staffed by the Office of Financial Management.  In addition, the commission assembles teams of private sector executives and public sector managers to study particular state agencies and programs.

The Efficiency Commission estimates that the state will receive approximately $117 million in new revenues and cost savings during the 1991-93 biennium as a result of commission recommendations.

Authorization for the Efficiency Commission expires on December 31, 1991.

Summary of Bill:  Authorization for the Efficiency Commission is extended to December 31, 1995.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Efficiency Commission studies have resulted in financial savings and other benefits.  The study team approach has worked well.  Breadth of people in the study teams allows for new and fresh perspectives on issues, as well as giving agency staff an audience for their ideas.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Pete Kremen; Lucille Christenson, Office of Financial Management; Curt Smitch, Department of Wildlife; and Dick Desimone, Security Pacific Bank (all in favor).