HB 1949 - DIGEST

Provides that, in the omnibus operating budget bill or in other legislation, the legislature shall identify agencies on which a zero-base budget review or a modified zero-base budget review shall be conducted during each fiscal year of the biennium. When specifying agencies on which the review will be conducted, the legislature shall seek to complement and avoid duplication of the activities or the proposed activities of the joint legislative audit and review committee under chapter 44.28 RCW.

Requires the reviews to be provided to the committees either by September 1st following the fiscal year in which the review takes place, or as specified in the omnibus operating budget bill or in other legislation.

Provides that each agency receiving appropriations in the omnibus operating budget bill shall be reviewed at least once during the six-year period beginning on July 1, 2005, and at least once every six years thereafter.

Provides that, when conducting the review, the committees shall consult with the joint legislative audit and review committee. The review is intended to complement, and not to duplicate, performance audits and performance reviews conducted by the joint legislative audit and review committee under chapter 44.28 RCW.

Provides that, to facilitate the review, the director of financial management shall cooperate with the committees to establish the method and format for the reporting of agency information. The director of financial management and all agencies shall comply in a timely manner with requests by the committees for information related to the review.