HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6818
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to transparency in state expenditures.
Brief Description: Promoting transparency in state expenditures.
Sponsors: Senators Oemig, Brandland, Tom, Zarelli, Kastama, Weinstein, Kilmer, Keiser and Kohl-Welles.
Brief History:
Appropriations: 2/26/08, 2/28/08 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 33 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and Sullivan.
Staff: Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).
Background:
Under the State Budget and Accounting Act, the Office of Financial Management (OFM)
maintains a comprehensive financial accounting and reporting system for all agencies of state
government. This system accounts for all state agency revenues, expenditures, receipts, and
disbursements, as well as statewide budget information. The Legislative Evaluation and
Accountability Program (LEAP) Committee provides a variety of fiscal information for the
Legislature and the public.
Summary of Amended Bill:
By January 1, 2009, the LEAP Committee, in collaboration with the OFM, is directed to
make publicly available a searchable state expenditure information website. The website
must contain information on: (1) state expenditures by fund or account; (2) expenditures by
agency, program, and subprogram; (3) state revenues by source; (4) state expenditures by
budget object and subobject; and (5) state agency workloads, caseloads, and performance
measurements. The website must provide current and historical information.
The LEAP Committee must prepare and post on a public website, a presentation specific to
K-12 education funding. The presentation will show examples of the type and level of
educational programs and services supported by funding appropriated in the budget for the
support of common schools. In addition, the website must contain a link to an OFM website
on personal services and purchased services contracts required to be filed with the OFM.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:
In collaboration with the OFM, and using existing database structures currently shared, the
LEAP Committee is to establish and make available to the public, a searchable state
expenditure information website, rather than the OFM. The OFM must make its electronic
database on personal services and purchased services contracts public, and the LEAP state
expenditure information website must contain a link to the OFM database. A provision was
added requiring the LEAP Committee to prepare and post on the website a presentation on K-12 funding.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) State expenditure information should be made more accessible and
understandable to the public through the Internet. Public websites to increase budget
transparency are being created in many states and can be done economically. The LEAP is
doing much of this now and can provide this website at little or no additional cost.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Amber Gunn and Bob Williams, Evergreen Freedom Foundation; Tom Jensen, Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program; and Jason Mercier, Washington Policy Center.