SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1407

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, APRIL 5, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing duties of the legislative auditor and attorney general regarding the legislative budget committee.

SPONSORS: Representatives Sommers, Silver, Chandler, Fuhrman, Locke, Ogden and Brough; by request of Legislative Budget Committee

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Spanel, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Jesernig, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Owen, Quigley, Roach, L. Smith, Snyder, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Steve Jones (786‑7440)

Hearing Dates: April 5, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Legislative Budget Committee has broad authority to conduct performance audits, management surveys, and other studies and examinations relating to the effective operation of public bodies and programs.  In specific instances where the Legislative Budget Committee or another legislative committee finds that a state officer has violated the state Budget and Accounting Act by making an improper expenditure, the legislative auditor may refer the matter to the Attorney General for further review and potential civil action. 

SUMMARY:

The authority of the Legislative Budget Committee to refer matters to the Attorney General is expanded to include any alleged act of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by a state officer or employee.  The Attorney General is required to promptly review the allegations and is authorized to take appropriate enforcement actions under any applicable statutes.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one