SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 833

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Sprenkle, Cooper, Jacobsen, Pruitt, Bristow, Valle, K. Wilson, Kremen, Cantwell, Grant, Crane, Ebersole, Todd, J. Williams, Sanders and P. King) 

Creating Washington state efficiency study commission.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 25, 1987; April 1, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Pullen, Talmadge, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

It has been suggested that taxpayer discontent and lack of public trust in government have contributed to an increased interest in the state's productivity and efficiency.

Productivity is defined as encompassing those programs, procedures, techniques, and processes that improve governmental performance and operations.

In 1965 a 90-member Council for Reorganization of Washington State Government was created by Executive Order to study and evaluate the operations of 37 departments, agencies, commissions and boards including the Governor's Office.  Six hundred and seventy recommendations were issued.  The study was financed by more than 260 state business and industry organizations.

Similar efforts were recently undertaken in the states of Ohio (1983), North Carolina (1985), and West Virginia (1985), all utilizing private sector management specialists and funding.

SUMMARY:

The State Efficiency Study Commission is created to conduct a study of efficiency in state government in order to improve management and to reduce costs.  Private sector contributions are to fund the Commission.  The Commission consists of not more than 19 members, including citizen members from private sector business and industry; labor and public interest organizations; the executive branch of state government; and a representative from each of the four legislative caucuses.  Members are appointed by the Governor, and are reimbursed for travel expenses.

The Commission must present its study recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on December 1, 1988.  These recommendations may include the following suggestions:  (1) legislation and executive action to increase efficiency and reduce costs in state government; (2) ways of improving management and administrative control, and making management more accountable; (3) specific areas where further study can be justified by potential savings; and (4) information concerning governmental expenditures, indebtedness, and personnel management.

The commission expires on December 31, 1989.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Jim Biba, Warren King and Associates; Mark Brown, WFSE