S-1734.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5980

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Senators Strannigan, Owen, McCaslin, Wood, Long, Schow, Deccio, Finkbeiner, Roach, Loveland, Oke, Prince, Haugen, Morton, McDonald, A. Anderson, Palmer, Prentice, West, Moyer, Johnson, Hale, Hochstatter, Swecker, Cantu, Franklin, Kohl, Winsley and Rasmussen

Read first time 02/20/95.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Requiring a performance audit of the department of transportation.

    AN ACT Relating to a performance audit of the department of transportation; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislative transportation committee shall contract for a performance audit of the programs and functions of the department of transportation.  The performance audit shall consist of a systematic, independent, and objective assessment to determine whether the department's programs and activities:

    (a) Are meeting the outcomes or results intended by the policy objectives established by the legislature and the transportation commission;

    (b) Comply with relevant federal and state statutes and standards; and

    (c) Make efficient and cost-effective use of public resources.

    (2) By September 1, 1996, the legislative transportation committee shall report the results of the performance audit to the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.  The report shall include recommendations for improving the performance and accountability of the department of transportation, including any recommendations for the more efficient use of public resources to accomplish the policy objectives of the department's programs and activities.

    (3) For the purposes of the performance audit, the legislative transportation committee shall retain, by contract or otherwise, such technical or professional services as the committee deems necessary to ensure a thorough and independent evaluation.  The department of transportation shall make available to the committee such information, personnel, or other resources necessary to the performance audit.

                            --- END ---