| VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2834 |
| May 2, 2012 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 4, House Bill 2834 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to providing cost savings for local governments by reducing a limited number of reporting requirements." |
| Section 4 contains two directives. The first requires the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to conduct a review of reports, programs, and mandates required of state and local governments to determine those that are obsolete or unnecessary. The second requires OFM to develop and submit executive request legislation to terminate specific reports, programs, and mandates based on the review. While I agree that conducting a sunset review of requirements imposed on state and local governments would be beneficial, I do not believe it is appropriate for the Legislature to mandate the content of executive request legislation. Article III, section 6 of the Washington Constitution provides that the Governor shall recommend to the Legislature such measures as the Governor deems expedient for their action. Section 4 is inconsistent with this constitutional provision and the constitutional separation of powers. |
| I will direct OFM to work with statewide organizations representing cities and counties to create a process to review reports, mandates, and programs that create additional expenses for state and local governments. OFM will report to the Governor and the Legislature and submit recommendations on executive request legislation to the Governor. |
| For this reason, I have vetoed Section 4 of House Bill 2834. |
| With the exception of Section 4, House Bill 2834 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine Gregoire |
| Governor |