FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1372

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 406 L 93

Brief Description:  Creating the government accountability task force.

By House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Pruitt, R. Fisher, Mielke, Sheldon, Dorn, Long, Veloria, Roland, Romero, Shin, R. Meyers, Finkbeiner, Jones, Dunshee, Jacobsen, Riley, Holm, Mastin, Kessler, Linville, Springer, Wolfe, Franklin, Kremen, Johanson, Karahalios, Flemming, Tate, L. Johnson, J. Kohl, Dellwo, G. Cole and Anderson; by request of State Auditor).

House Committee on State Government

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  Several state entities are responsible for conducting evaluations of state agencies and programs.  The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) conducts performance audits of state programs and agencies and makes recommendations to the Legislature to improve government effectiveness and efficiency.  The Office of Financial Management (OFM) provides budget planning and fiscal administration for executive branch agencies.  The Efficiency and Accountability Commission conducts operational and organizational reviews of state agencies and programs.  The State Auditor conducts financial audits of state agencies.  The State Auditor is currently prohibited from conducting performance audits.

Summary:  Each state agency is required to define its mission and establish measurable goals for achieving desirable results for those who receive its services.  Each state agency is required to establish measurable, outcome-based objectives for each major program in its budget.   The Office of Financial Management is required to develop a plan for using these objectives in the evaluation of agency performance.

The Office of Financial Management is required to develop a system of internal controls and internal audits as fiscal safeguards and to promote operational efficiency.  Each agency is responsible for maintaining these internal controls, which will be used by the State Auditor in conducting financial examinations.

The State Auditor may conduct performance audits only as expressly authorized in the state biennial budget act.  Where information relating to agency management or performance is discovered incidental to a financial audit, the State Auditor may report to the Legislature.

The Legislative Budget Committee may establish a biennial work plan for conducting agency program evaluations.  The plan may include proposals to employ contract evaluators.  The work plans will be sent to the appropriate legislative fiscal and policy committees.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  89 9

Senate 43 0

House            (House refused to concur)

Senate           (Senate insisted)

Conference Committee

Senate 43 0

House  98 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993