5734-S AMH ANDG SMIT 241

SSB 5734 - H AMD TO WAYS COMM AMD (H-3287.1) 870

By Representative Anderson

ADOPTED 4/22/2009

    On page 2, after line 34 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Within existing resources, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall complete a systemic performance audit of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College. The purpose of the audit is to create a transparent link between revenues, expenditures, and performance outcomes as outlined in the performance agreements developed under RCW 28B.10.920 and the strategic master plan for higher education as adopted by the legislature. The study shall:

    (a) Identify standardized categories of costs that will allow comparison across various administrative, student support, and academic functions;

    (b) Based on available management data, estimate current annual costs at each institution for the various cost categories;

    (c) Based on available management data, identify fund sources that support the cost categories at each institution; and

    (d) Identify barriers or gaps in data linking revenues, expenditures and performance agreement outcome measures.

    (2) The auditor shall report findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2010. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following elements as they relate to the purpose of the audit:

    (a) The identification of cost savings and programs or services that could be eliminated;

    (b) Analysis of gaps or overlaps in programs or services and recommendations to correct gaps or overlaps;

    (c) Feasibility of pooling technology systems or elements of technology systems pursuant to chapter __ RCW (Second Substitute House Bill No. 1946), laws of 2009;

    (d) Recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes that may be necessary for the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College to meet performance agreement objectives mutually agreed upon pursuant to 28B.10.922; and

    (e) Recommendations on the development of a uniform higher education performance, budgeting, accounting and reporting system."

EFFECT:  Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a systemic performance audit of the public baccalaureate institutions.   

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