HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 2883
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. |
As Passed House:
February 17, 2016
Title: An act relating to government efficiency by eliminating or revising the requirements for state agency reports.
Brief Description: Addressing government efficiency by eliminating or revising the requirements for state agency reports.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Chandler and Ormsby; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government: 2/3/16, 2/4/16 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/17/16, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives S. Hunt, Chair; Bergquist, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Frame, Hawkins and Moscoso.
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
Agencies, boards, task forces, and other bodies are regularly required to report activities and findings to the Governor and Legislature. While some reports are one-time, others are ongoing on an annual or biennial basis. All reports to the Governor and Legislature must be submitted electronically and be accessible to the public.
In 1977 the Legislature established a requirement for the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to serve as a central clearinghouse for information on boards, commissions, and similar entities in order to provide greater oversight and accountability. The OFM compiles, and reports biennially, information to the Legislature for groups whose members are eligible to receive travel expenses for their meetings.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:
Eight reports to the Legislature are eliminated. Four reports to the Legislature are reduced in frequency. Four inter-agency reports are eliminated or reduced in frequency.
Apprenticeship and Training Council.
The frequency of the Apprenticeship and Training Council's report to the Governor and Legislature on opportunities for high school students to transition to local apprenticeship programs is changed from annual to only reporting in years in which grants are awarded.
Department of Corrections.
The Department of Corrections annual report to the Legislature on the number of health care visits made by offenders and the associated costs is eliminated.
Department of Health.
The Department of Health provides hospitals the opportunity to anonymously evaluate state survey or audit processes. The annual compilation of these evaluations in a report to the Legislature is eliminated.
Department of Labor and Industries.
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) annual report to the Legislature on contractors who have failed to register, contractors assessed monetary penalties, and penalties collected and waived, is eliminated.
The L&I annual report to the Governor and Legislature on business transacted by the department in the preceding fiscal year is eliminated.
Department of Licensing.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) annual report to the Legislature on agent and subagent fees, fee revision recommendations, and other related information is eliminated.
Department of Social and Health Services.
The Department of Social and Health Services annual report to the Legislature on blended funding services provided to children is eliminated.
Employment Security Department.
The Employment Security Department annual report to the Legislature on the status of the training benefits program and resulting outcomes is changed from annual to once every five years.
Invasive Species Council.
The Invasive Species Council annual report on activities to the Governor and Legislature, including an evaluation of progress made in the preceding year to implement the strategic plan and identifying projects from the plan that will be a focus for the following year, is changed to a biennial report.
Office of Financial Management.
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) requirements to act as a central clearinghouse for information on boards, commissions, councils, and committees; to collect related information from state agencies; and to report to the Legislature biennially on groups whose members are eligible to receive travel expenses, are eliminated.
Salmon Recovery Board.
The Salmon Recovery Board (SRB) requirement to provide an annual list to the Legislature of proposed projects and projects funded is changed to require the list be incorporated into the SRB's biennial report.
Washington State Patrol.
The requirement for the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to provide the DOL with a cross-reference record of accidents related to individuals who have driving infractions and convictions, including whether the accident resulted in a fatality, is eliminated.
The requirement for the WSP to collect, and report semiannually to the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC), demographic data related to routine traffic stops is eliminated. The requirement for the CJTC and the WSP to continue to compile this information and report to the Legislature is unchanged.
Washington State School Directors Association.
The requirements for the Washington State School Director's Association (WSSDA) to contract with the OFM to audit WSSDA staff classifications and salaries and associate reports to the OFM and Legislature are eliminated.
Public Institutions of Higher Education.
The requirement for public institutions of higher education to notify the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) when an institution exercises its independent purchasing authority is eliminated.
State Agencies Using Biodiesel.
The frequency of state agencies' reporting to the DES documenting the use of biodiesel fuel is changed from biannual to annual.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is trying to shrink unnecessary work and make government more efficient. This is a companion to a bill from the Office of Financial Management eliminating old accounts, with the goal of streamlining and creating greater efficiencies.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Senn, prime sponsor; and Scott Merriman, Office of Financial Management.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.