SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5142

BYSenators McCaslin, Thorsness, DeJarnatt and Rasmussen; by request of State Auditor

Changing the year end fiscal report requirement.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5142 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  January 26, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, JANUARY 26, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Local taxing districts and other political subdivisions must certify and file annual financial reports with the State Auditor within 30 days after the close of each fiscal year.  The State Auditor certifies the correctness of the reports and prepares a consolidated local financial report from the data collected.

No local governments can complete their yearly transactions and verify their accuracy in such a short period of time.  According to the State Auditor, extending the deadline will not impede the audit process or timely production of the comparative statistics.

SUMMARY:

The deadline for local taxing districts and other political subdivisions to file certified annual financial reports is extended to 150 days.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Gender neutral language is added.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Linda Sheler, Deputy State Auditor (pro); Stan Finkelstein, Association of Washington Cities (pro)