HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1391
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to statutory committees of the legislature.
Brief Description: Overseeing statutory legislative committees.
Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler and Mastin).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government: 2/14/01, 2/19/01 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/9/01, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/3/01, 47-1.
House Refused to Concur.
Senate Reconsidered.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/19/01, 40-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/20/01, 86-0.
Passed Legislature.
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
$Subjects several legislative agencies to uniform operational policies, procedures, and oversight.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives McMorris, Republican Co‑Chair; Romero, Democratic Co‑Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Haigh, Lambert, McDermott and D. Schmidt.
Staff: Jim Morishima (786‑7191).
Background:
The Legislature has created many legislative agencies to help it carry out its constitutional duties. The agencies include: (a) the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee; (b) the Joint Committee on Pension Policy; (c) the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee; and (d) the Joint Legislative Systems Committee.
I. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC)
Formerly known as the Legislative Budget Committee, the JLARC has many duties including conducting performance audits of state agencies and programs, conducting sunset reviews, and providing assistance to legislative committees. The committee consists of eight representatives and eight senators who appoint a legislative auditor to assist them in their statutory duties. The committee also has a four‑member executive committee. The executive committee and the legislative auditor are responsible for the administrative functions of the committee, including hiring staff and setting their salaries.
II. The Joint Committee on Pension Policy (JCPP)
The JCPP studies pension issues, develops pension policies, studies pension funding, and makes recommendations to the Legislature. The committee consists of eight representatives and eight senators. The JCPP appoints the state actuary whose duties include performing actuarial services for the Department of Retirement Systems, advising the Legislature and the Governor on pension issues, and preparing actuarial fiscal notes on pension bills. The actuary is responsible for hiring staff and, with the approval of the JCPP, setting their salaries.
III. The Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee (LEAP)
The LEAP provides the Legislature with analysis and monitoring of state agency expenditures, budgets, and related fiscal matters. The committee consists of four representatives and four senators. The committee has administrative responsibilities including entering into contracts, and hiring permanent and temporary staff.
IV. The Joint Legislative Systems Committee (JLSC)
The JLSC adopts policies, procedures, and standards regarding the information processing and communications technology of the Legislature. The committee consists of two representatives and two senators. The JLSC appoints a legislative systems coordinator who is responsible for the administration of the committee. The committee also has the power to enter into contracts and hire staff.
V. The Legislative Transportation Committee (LTC)
The LTC performs studies and analyses relating to transportation. The committee consists of 12 representatives and 12 senators. The LTC has an eight member executive committee and may enter into contracts and hire staff.
Summary of Bill:
In order to ensure the operational adequacy of legislative agencies, the JLARC, the JCPP, the LEAP, the JLSC, and the LTC are subject to operational policies, procedures, and oversight as deemed necessary by the House Executive Rules Committee and the Senate Facilities and Operations committee. The operational policies, procedures, and oversight include the development process of biennial budgets, contracting procedures, personnel policies and compensation plans, selection of a chief administrator, facilities, and expenditures. The operational policies, procedures, and oversight do not grant the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee oversight authority over any standing committee in the House of Representatives, or the House Executive Rules Committee oversight authority over any standing committee in the Senate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill will allow greater efficiencies and consistencies among the JLARC, the JCPP, the LEAP, and the JLSC through the oversight of the House Executive Rules Committee and the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Kessler, co-prime sponsor; and Representative Mastin, co-prime sponsor.