BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

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

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The joint legislative audit and review committee shall contract with an independent evaluator for a performance audit of the department of transportation. The performance audit shall be an objective and systematic assessment of the programs administered by the department, including each program's effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.

(2) In conducting the performance audit, the independent evaluator shall involve the department's frontline employees, department and program managers, customers of the department's programs and services, other taxpayers, legislators, legislative staff, office of financial management staff, and other external public and private sector experts as deemed appropriate in conducting the performance audit. On behalf of the independent evaluator, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall be provided direct and unrestricted access to information held by the department, which shall submit all data and other information requested by the committee.

(3) The performance audit shall identify those activities and programs of the department that should be strengthened, those that should be abandoned, and those that need to be redirected or other alternatives explored. In conducting the audit, the independent evaluator shall:

(a) Identify each of the department's discrete functions or activities, along with associated costs and full-time equivalent staff;

(b) Determine the extent to which the particular activity or function is specifically authorized in statute or is consistent with statutory direction and intent;

(d) Consider whether or not the purpose for which the program was created is still valid based on the circumstances under which the program was created versus those that exist at the time of the audit;

(e) Recommend organizations or programs in the public or private sector to be used as benchmarks against which to measure the performance of the program or function;

(f) Determine whether or not the program or function is achieving the results for which it was established;

(g) Identify alternatives for delivering the program or service, either in the public or private sector;

(h) Identify any duplication of services with other government programs or private enterprises or gaps in services;

(i) Identify the costs or implications of not performing the function;

(j) Determine the frequency with which other states perform similar functions, as well as their relative funding levels and performance; (k) In the event of inadequate performance by the program, identify the potential for a workable, affordable plan to improve performance;

(l) Identify, to the extent possible, the causes of any program's failure to achieve the desired results and identify alternatives for reducing costs or improving service delivery, including transferring functions to other public or private sector organizations;

(m) Develop recommendations regarding statutes that inhibit or do not contribute to the department's ability to perform its functions effectively and efficiently;

(n) Evaluate the effectiveness of the department's governance and the legislature's policy and fiscal oversight of the department; and

(o) Develop an advisory recommendation regarding whether the department's programs or activities should be continued, abandoned, or restructured.

(4) The performance audit shall be conducted under the procedures established in chapter 44.28 RCW, including the preparation of preliminary and final audit reports under RCW 44.28.088 and a follow-up compliance report under RCW 44.28.091. The preliminary audit report shall be completed by August 1, 1998, and the final audit report shall be published by November 1, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The sum of . . . . . . . dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the joint legislative audit and review committee for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, to carry out the purposes of section 1 of this act.