SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESB 6601

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 3, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing for government performance and accountability.

SPONSORS: Senators Gaspard, Sellar, Quigley, Rinehart, Oke, Winsley, Ludwig, Drew, Franklin, Skratek and M. Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Ludwig, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Pelz, Snyder, Spanel, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams and Wojahn.

Staff:  Steve Jones (786‑7440)

Hearing Dates:  February 7, 1994; February 8, 1994

BACKGROUND:

A number of proposals have been made, both formally and informally, to explore methods of increasing the public accountability of state government and the efficiency of state programs and services.  These proposals have called for increased performance audits, systematic reviews of state expenditures, performance-based management and budgeting methodologies, and other strategies to reduce structural barriers and increase incentives for innovative management.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Performance Partnership Council is created, consisting of the Governor, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leaders of each house, and two statewide elected officials to be appointed by the Governor.  The council is directed to facilitate a long-term process to improve state government.  The council shall appoint an operating committee consisting of representatives of the executive and legislative branches of state government and representatives of the private sector.

The council and the operating committee are directed to prepare and submit to the Legislature a Statement of Strategic Intent for state government.  The council and operating committee will also develop strategies for the continuous improvement of state government services by identifying the intended result of each government program or service, and redesigning state programs and internal systems, such as the state budget system, to encourage increased performance.  Design teams consisting of front-line employees, managers, and customers will be used to develop prototypes of improved management methods.

The Performance-Based Government Act of 1993 is revised.  The State Auditor is authorized to conduct performance verifications of state agencies and programs when authorized to do so in the omnibus appropriations act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Language was added to recognize the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, and clarifying the statement of strategic intent.