BILL REQ. #:  S-3536.1 

Read first time 01/11/12.   Referred to Committee on Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

     AN ACT Relating to implementing efficiencies in the management of the state's natural resources; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that: The state's natural resources agencies have faced significant budget reductions, including administrative reductions, as a result of the great economic challenges faced by the state in recent years; these reductions have required the natural resources agencies to explore potential efficiencies, and resulted in the beginnings of increased collaboration among the agencies; and the state will benefit from continued progress achieving efficiencies in and increased collaboration among the natural resources agencies.
     (2) Therefore, the legislature intends to establish an ongoing and collaborative process for the natural resources agencies to identify, analyze, and, where appropriate, implement opportunities to achieve efficiencies in or improve the effectiveness of natural resources agency operations and resource management.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The natural resources agencies shall, in consultation with the office of financial management, develop and effectuate an ongoing process to identify, analyze, and, where appropriate, implement opportunities to achieve efficiencies in or improve the effectiveness of agency operations and resource management.
     (2) Process outcomes: In developing and effectuating this process, the agencies shall identify and document significant examples of interagency collaboration, office or facility colocation, and sharing or consolidation of administrative functions.
     (3) Interagency collaboration:
     (a) In developing and effectuating this process, the agencies shall identify and analyze opportunities to achieve efficiencies in or improve the effectiveness of agency operations and resource management through actions such as interagency collaboration, sharing or consolidation of administrative functions, and other relevant actions identified by the agencies.
     (b) The agencies shall implement those actions that are consistent with the criteria in (a) of this subsection and reasonably practicable, as determined by the agencies.
     (4) Office and facility colocation:
     (a) In developing and effectuating this process, the agencies shall identify and analyze opportunities to achieve efficiencies in or improve the effectiveness of agency operations and resource management through the colocation of offices and facilities.
     (b) In identifying opportunities for analysis, the agencies shall consider current and future opportunities for colocation resulting from circumstances such as an existing or anticipated office or facility vacancy, lease expiration, or the presence of multiple offices or facilities in a particular geographic area. The agencies may also consider opportunities for colocation with appropriate entities other than natural resources agencies.
     (c) The agencies shall implement those colocation opportunities that are consistent with the criteria in (a) of this subsection and reasonably practicable, as determined by the agencies. The office of financial management may exercise the authority provided under section 3 of this act regarding colocation opportunities.
     (5) In developing and effectuating this process, the agencies must provide a structure for and maintain regular communication. Each agency must participate in the development and effectuation of the process in a collaborative and, as appropriate, active manner.
     (6) Consistent with RCW 43.01.036, the agencies must collectively submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the senate and house of representatives by September 1st of each year. The report must include an update on the process required under this section, opportunities identified and analyzed under the process, outcomes resulting from the process, and any budget or legislative recommendations.
     (7) For the purposes of this section, the terms "agency" and "natural resources agency" includes the department of agriculture, the department of ecology, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, the recreation and conservation office, the Puget Sound partnership, the state conservation commission, and the state parks and recreation commission.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The office of financial management may identify colocation opportunities for analysis by the agencies under section 2 of this act.
     (2) If the agencies determine that a colocation opportunity does not meet the criteria for implementation under section 2 of this act, the office of financial management shall review that determination. The director of the office of financial management may require the agencies to reconsider the initial determination or implement the opportunity if the director determines that the opportunity: Meets the criteria for implementation under section 2 of this act; would result in significant cost savings or efficiencies; and is in the best interest of the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The legislature finds that the process required under section 2 of this act consists of a series of activities that are an inherent part of efficient and effective natural resource agency management, and must be conducted within existing resources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 2 and 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.