SENATE 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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Security, February 25, 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: Passed House: 2/17/16, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 2/25/16, 2/25/16 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Pearson, Vice Chair; Dansel, Habib, McCoy and Takko.

Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)

Background: The Legislature and the Governor receive hundreds of reports, required by statute, from state agencies, boards, commissions, and task forces each year. Many of these reports are submitted annually or on a regular basis, while others may be a one-time requirement to complete a study and make recommendations to the Governor or the Legislature, or both. All reports to the Governor and Legislature must be submitted electronically and be accessible to the public

Summary of 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.

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

Washington State Patrol (WSP). The requirement for the WSP to provide the Department of Licensing 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Salmon Recovery Board (SRB). The 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.

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.

Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The 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.

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 association's requirement to submit reports to the OFM and Legislature are eliminated.

Department of Licensing (DOL). The DOL annual report to the Legislature on agent and subagent fees, fee revision recommendations, and other related information is eliminated.

Office of Financial Management (OFM). The 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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: One of the reports being eliminated is the Department of Enterprise Services report on higher education exercising its independent purchasing authority. This is no longer done. Funding has not been provided for pre-apprenticeship programs, leaving nothing for the Department of Labor and Industries to report. Reporting annually on the Employment Security training benefits program is not efficient, so it is being changed to a five-year basis. The Office of Financial Management was tasked with preparing a biennial report on boards and commissions that was originally enacted in 1977 and is now outdated. This bill will give legislative staff less to read and state agency staff can focus on real work. This bill is a good little bill and will save a little money.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Scott Merriman, Office of Financial Management.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.