Brief Description: Enhancing government accountability.

Sponsors: Representatives Miloscia, Armstrong, Haigh, Simpson, Schoesler, Quall, O'Brien, Kirby, Cox, Eickmeyer, Berkey, McCoy, Ruderman, Hatfield, Sullivan, Morris, Linville, Ahern, Veloria, Bush, Conway, Dickerson, Lovick, Fromhold, Dunshee, Gombosky, Kenney, Kagi, Schual-Berke and Campbell.

Hearing Date: 1/21/03

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

A number of programs have been instituted to improve government efficiency and accountability.

Legislation was enacted in 1996 establishing a performance based budgeting system for state agencies. Agencies are expected to: (a) establish mission statements and set goals; (b) develop strategies to achieve goals; (c) set outcome based objectives; (d) provide continuous self assessment of each program; (e) link budget proposals with their mission statements and goals; and (f) objectively determine the success in achieving goals.

The Governor issued Executive Order 97-03 in 1997 requiring all state agencies to develop and implement programs to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of public services they provide using quality improvement, business process redesign, employee involvement, and other quality improvement techniques.

The executive order established a rules review process for state agencies to periodically review their rules to determine if the rules should be retained, modified, or repealed.

The Productivity Board was established to administer the employee suggestion program and the teamwork incentive program. State agencies are authorized to make employee recognition awards.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee conducts performance audits. The State Auditor conducts performance audits if the legislature appropriates moneys for specific performance audits in the state budget.

Summary of Bill:

Citizen Accountability and Progress Board

The Citizen Accountability and Progress Board (board) is established. The primary mission of the board is to guide and assist agencies in developing performance standards, measures, outcomes, and goals, and to seek, review and recommend best practices for all agencies. The nine members of the board are appointed by the Governor and serve terms of four years. The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development will staff the board. Specific duties of the board include the following:

1.   Review the various performance measurement, audit, and accountability systems currently in place and develop recommendations for integration into one systemwide program.

2.   Establish a program and strategic plan for conducting independent performance audits and yearly performance scoring of state agencies, government entities and their programs and functions. The yearly audit and performance scoring program will be contracted to public or private entities with the appropriate expertise and initially will focus on quality management, productivity and fiscal efficiency, program effectiveness, contract management and oversight, internal audit, internal and external customer satisfaction, and statutory and regulatory compliance.

3.   Assist in the development of criteria for performance audits conducted by the state auditor and advise the state auditor in implementing performance audits for all state agencies.

4.   Evaluate best practices, audit findings, and performance scoring and identify opportunities to develop government partnerships and eliminate program duplications.

5.   Report the results of the yearly audit and performance scoring program and the results of the performance audits conducted by the State Auditor to the Governor and the Legislature by December 15 each year.

State Auditor

The State Auditor is authorized to conduct performance audits. With the advice of the board, the auditor will develop and implement a system of recurring performance audits of government systems and operations on a phased-in audit schedule. Single audits shall be designed to be completed within a six-month period. The auditor will assist the board in collecting, disseminating, tracking, and sharing best practices with all state agencies, schools, and local governments. Audit reports are submitted to the board by December 1 each year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2003.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.