BILL REQ. #:  H-3816.1 

Read first time 01/14/10.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to the review of the local government fiscal note program; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Actions taken by the legislature on a wide variety of issues have the ability to dramatically and subtly impact local governments. Often the legislature has insufficient information to gauge the potential burden proposed legislation may have on our local governments. A better understanding of the fiscal impacts of state legislation will enhance the formulation of policies, especially considering the challenges of the current budget crisis. The legislature finds that there is a need to improve the process of how local government fiscal notes are prepared and requests a comprehensive review of the current process and an assessment of potential options to increase performance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
     The department, in consultation with local governments and the legislature, shall review the local government fiscal note program under chapter 43.132 RCW by analyzing similar programs in other states, studying and evaluating processes and procedures of the program, and examining practices for communication between the program and local governments, the office of financial management, and the legislature. The department must report findings and recommendations to the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee by November 1, 2010. The report must identify effective practices for determining local fiscal impact and provide recommendations to (1) improve communications between the program and local governments, the office of financial management, and the legislature; (2) prioritize requests for local government fiscal notes that facilitate the process and provide consistency and timeliness; (3) facilitate communication of local government fiscal impact information and responding to requests in a timely manner; and (4) retain qualified staff.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2010, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Section 2 of this act expires November 1, 2011.