HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6210

BYSenators McCaslin, Garrett, Zimmerman, Hayner and Nelson; by request of Office of State Auditor

Authorizing the state auditor to contract with certified public accountants for municipal audits.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Beck, Dorn, Ferguson, Jones, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Rayburn and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state constitution provides that the State Auditor is the "auditor of public accounts, and shall have such powers and perform such duties in connection therewith as may be prescribed by law."  The state constitution additionally provides that the Legislature can abolish the Office of State Auditor.

The supreme court in Yelle v. Bishop, 55 Wn.2d 286 (1959), held that the Legislature can alter or limit the powers of the office of State Auditor and that no common-law duties or implied powers ascribe to the office.

The division of municipal corporations, within the State Auditor's Office, has been authorized to establish a uniform system of accounting and reporting for local governments and to audit local governments.

SUMMARY:

The State Auditor is authorized to contract with certified public accountants, who are certified in this state, to perform portions of the duties of the division of municipal corporations.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Linda Sheler and Morgan Jacobsen from the Office of the State Auditor; Representative Jean Silver.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This permits the Auditor to contract with private certified public accountants.  Cost savings could arise.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.