SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6412

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 5, 1992

Brief Description:  Enhancing accountability in state government.

SPONSORS: Senators Madsen, McCaslin, Sutherland and Thorsness

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Constitution provides that the supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a Governor.  To assist the Governor in assuring that the laws are faithfully executed, the Constitution also establishes the office of State Auditor within the executive branch, charged with auditing public accounts and such other duties which may be conferred by statute.  These other duties have, in the past, included the conduct of performance audits.  In 1951, the Legislature created the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) to conduct performance audits and studies relating to improving the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of state agency management.  In 1969, the Legislature established the Office of Financial Management (OFM), as an arm of the Governor's office, to assure a unified process in financial planning and fiscal activities.  In 1987, the Legislature established the Commission on Efficiency and Accountability within the Office of Financial Management to conduct program reviews relating to efficiency and accountability.

It is asserted that there is a growing demand for a new level of accountability in government requiring the restructuring of the processes for measuring and evaluating the performance of the executive branch.

SUMMARY:

The terms "performance audit", "program evaluation", and "success measures" are defined.  Each state agency shall develop success measures for each major program in conjunction with budget development.  The Office of Financial Management shall coordinate the development of a statewide program evaluating system and shall develop methods of tracking agency performance against established success measures.  The Governor shall develop a plan for establishing a strategic planning process involving key "stakeholders" for the key functional areas of state government.  Any legislative bill or amendment authorizing or appropriating funds shall be out of order unless it specifies goals or objectives and desired outcomes.  The State Auditor shall conduct performance audits.

The bill contains a null and void clause.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  July 1, 1993 (Sections 10 and 11)