HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1033

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers,  Fuhrman, Brekke, Silver and Sayan; by request of Legislative Budget Committee

Amending committee voucher authority.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, Rector, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In order to pay expenses incurred while conducting business, the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) uses vouchers provided by the State Auditor.  The vouchers draw on funds appropriated for the committee by the Legislature.  According to statute, the chair or vice-chair of LBC is authorized to sign the vouchers to pay the committee's bills.  The vouchers must also be signed and stamped by the secretary of the committee.

Other joint legislative committees such as the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee (LEAP), and the Legislative Committee on Economic Development have defined in statute similar voucher systems to pay expenses.

SUMMARY:

The Legislative Budget Committee's Executive Committee may authorize the legislative auditor to sign vouchers.  A dollar limitation for vouchers signed by the auditor shall be set.  If the legislative auditor is not granted authorization, the chair, or vice chair in the chair's absence, is authorized to sign vouchers.  The secretary of the committee no longer attests the vouchers.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Cheryle Broom, Legislative Budget Committee.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Legislative Budget Committee will be able to expedite the process of paying its bills if the Legislative Auditor is allowed to sign the vouchers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.