Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 2406
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning the joint legislative audit and review committee.
Sponsors: Representatives Kelley, Alexander, Miloscia and Haigh.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/15/10
Staff: Pam Madson (786-7111).
Background:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is a statutorily created committee of eight senators and eight representatives, equally divided between the two major political parties. The JLARC staff conducts performance audits, program evaluations, sunset reviews, and other policy and fiscal studies.
Membership.
Senate members of the JLARC are appointed by the President of the Senate and the House members are appointed by the Speaker of the House. Members are appointed before the close of each regular session during an odd-numbered year. The timing of appointments may be delayed if the Legislature is called into special session following a regular session. If members are not appointed, committee members for their respective house having the un-appointed position must elected members to fill the position.
Members serve terms beginning at the close of the regular session in which they are appointed until the close on the next regular session or an immediately following special session during an odd-numbered year. If a seat is vacated, it is filled by appointment by the remaining members from the same house and the same party as that of the member vacating the seat.
Performance Audit Work Plan.
During each regular legislative session in an odd-numbered year, the JLARC develops a performance audit work plan for the next 16 to 24 months. Factors considered in preparing a work plan are:
Whether a program should be monitored because of significant fiscal impact, or it represents a high degree of risk in meeting the goals and objectives of the program;
Whether implementation of an existing program has failed; and
Whether a follow-up audit would ensure that recommendations for improvement are implemented.
The plan must be submitted to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature by the 60th day of a regular session in an odd-numbered year.
Access to Documents and Inspection of Property and Facilities.
Agencies are required to provide reports concerning program performance to the JLARC as requested. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee has authority to examine and inspect property and documents and to subpoena witnesses and production of documents.
Transportation Audits.
The Transportation Performance Audit Board was repealed in 2006. References to the JLARC's interaction with this board remain in statute.
Summary of Bill:
Membership.
Membera are appointed before the close of the regular session in an odd-numbered year. A member's term is two years from his or her appointment or for a shorter time if the member ceases to be a member of the Legislature. Members continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Vacancies are appointed by the President of the Senate for Senate members and by the Speaker of the House for House members.
Performance Audit Work Plans.
Work plans are developed and approved at the end of the regular session of each odd-numbered year. The plan must cover the ensuing biennium. The work plan may be modified at the end of other legislative sessions to reflect legislative action. The work plan must include a description of the performance audit and the cost of completion that reflects the funds appropriated to the JLARC. Approved plans must be transmitted to the Legislature by July 1 following each regular session of an odd-numbered year.
An additional factor to be considered when developing a work plan is whether the performance audit was mandated by legislation.
Access to Documents and Inspection of Property and Facilities.
Authority to access documents, property and facilities, and subpoena witnesses and the production of documents, includes those of local governments as well as state agencies. The authority extends to confidential records. This access to confidential records does not change their confidential nature and they are treated as confidential by the JLARC.
Transportation Audits.
Reference to contracting for transportation-related audits is eliminated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.