SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1733

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.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Hawkins, Bergquist, Alexander, Fitzgibbon, Buys, Tarleton, Manweller, Vick, Reykdal, Sawyer, Sells, Springer, Ryu, Clibborn, Angel, Jinkins, Maxwell, Pollet, Farrell, Moscoso, Ormsby, Morrell and Magendanz.

Background: Under the state Budget and Accounting Act, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) maintains a comprehensive financial accounting and reporting system for all agencies of state government. This system accounts for revenues, expenditures, receipts, and disbursements, as well as statewide budget information.

The Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program (LEAP) Committee was established in 1977 to be the Legislature's independent source of information and technology. LEAP provides fiscal information and technology for developing budgets and communicating budget decisions, and tracking revenue, expenditure, and staffing activity.

In 2008, the Legislature directed OFM to make publicly available a state expenditure information website that contains for the prior fiscal year: (1) state expenditures by fund or account; (2) expenditures by agency, program, and subprogram; (3) state revenues by source; (4) state expenditures by budget, object, and subobject; and (5) state agency workloads, caseloads, and performance measurements. This information is available on LEAP's Washington State Fiscal Information website.

Summary of Bill: Current and future capital project and transportation project investments must be made available to the public on the website in an accessible format, i.e., a geographical map where an individual can view capital and transportation project appropriation and expenditure data by legislative district, county, or agency project. This appropriation and expenditure data must include the project title, total appropriation, project description, expenditure data, and must identify the administering agency.

LEAP must use existing resources to meet these requirements and update the website. The website must be easy to use, contain current and readily available data, and allow for review and analysis by the public. LEAP must test the website with potential users to ensure its accessibility and ease of comprehension.