SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2323

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Pruitt, Sprenkle, Silver, Phillips, Morris, R. Fisher, G. Fisher, Rayburn, Brumsickle, Fraser, Anderson, H. Myers, Rust, R. Meyers, Dorn, Rector, Basich, Kremen, Todd, Winsley, Schoon, Wolfe, Cooper, Inslee and Kirby)

Increasing governmental accountability.

House Committe on State Government

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Strategic planning and evaluation of state programs is generally decentralized and informal.  Agencies evaluate some programs and may conduct internal strategic planning.  They are also required to prepare goals and objectives, along with workload indicators, as part of the budget process. 

The Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability in Government (Efficiency Commission) was established in 1987 to conduct reviews of major programs and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government.  Since its creation, the commission has studied the Liquor Control Board, the state personnel system, and the state motor pool, among other programs. 

In the legislative branch, the Legislative Budget Committee prepares program and fiscal reviews of agencies under the sunset law and has general powers to perform program management audits.  The Senate Select Committee on Washington 2000 is setting up a data base of research on major issues to facilitate strategic planning on legislative policy.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds that it must:  ensure a greater degree of government accountability to restore public confidence;  develop long-range planning structures to cope with today's society; and develop a dynamic vision, goals, and priorities to guide policy decisions. 

The Washington State Commission for Efficiency and Accountability in Government is assigned responsibility to:

      oDevelop a plan and make recommendations for a structure and process to evaluate program effectiveness.  The plan is to identify alternatives to current program evaluations that are based on expected outcomes.  The expected outcomes should correspond to goals established by strategic planning.  The commission will consult with the various legislative agencies such as the Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program in making its recommendations, and will examine the feasibility of adapting the sunset review process to improve evaluation of government accountability.

      oDevelop a plan and make recommendations for an executive and legislative strategic planning process.  Elements of strategic planning are defined.  The plan must address the respective roles of the executive and legislative branches in developing goals and priorities and make recommendations for utilizing the budget-setting process.  The commission is to make every effort to complement and expand on the work of the Senate Select Committee on Washington 2000. 

A preliminary report from the commission is due to the 1991 Legislature.  The final report is to be submitted to the 1992 Legislature.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.