Brief Description: Improving government management, accountability, and performance.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Springer, Miloscia, Upthegrove, Morrell, Haigh, O'Brien, Linville and Takko; by request of Governor Gregoire).

House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
Senate Committee on Ways & Means

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.

Executive Order 05-02 was recently issued instituting a government management, accountability and performance system (GMAP). Under GMAP, agencies are required to:

• develop clear, relevant and easy-to-understand performance measures;
• demonstrate how programs contribute to the priorities important to citizens;
• gather, monitor, and analyze program data;
• evaluate program effectiveness;
• hold regular problem-solving sessions;
• allocate resources based on strategies that work; and
• make regular reports on performance to the Governor.

Summary:

State agencies are required to develop and implement a quality management, accountability, and performance system. Managers and staff at all levels, including front-line employees, must be involved and training must be provided.

Agencies must ensure that the agency's system:

• uses strategic business planning for the purpose of establishing goals, objectives, and activities consistent with the priorities of government;
• engages stakeholders and customers in establishing service requirements and improve service delivery systems;
• includes clear, relevant and understandable measures for each activity;
• gathers, monitors and analyzes activity data;
• uses data to evaluate program effectiveness;
• establishes performance goals and expectations for employees that reflect the agency's objectives;
• uses activity measures to report progress in reaching agency objectives;
• holds regular problem-solving sessions to develop and implement plans for addressing gaps; and
• allocates resources based on strategies to improve performance.

   
Agencies are required to report quarterly to the Governor, and the Governor must report performance of state agency programs annually to the citizens of the state. The Governor's report must include progress made toward the priorities of government and improvements in agency management systems, fiscal efficiency, process efficiency, asset management, personnel management, statutory and regulatory compliance, and management of technology systems.

Agencies are directed to integrate all quality management, accountability, and performance systems undertaken through executive order or other authority.

Beginning no later than 2008, agencies must apply at least once every three years to the Washington State Quality Award, or similar organization, for an independent assessment of its quality management, accountability, and performance system.

For purposes of these provisions, "state agency" includes a state agency, department, office, officer, board, commission, bureau, division, institution, or institution of higher education, and all offices of executive branch state government-elected officials. "State agency" does not include agricultural commissions established by law.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   75   20
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   66   31   (House concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005