HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1406

                       As Passed House

                       March 10, 1993

Title:  An act relating to changing the name of the legislative budget committee to the joint committee on performance audits.

Brief Description:  Changing the name of the legislative budget committee.

Sponsors:  Representatives Silver, Sommers, Chandler, Fuhrman, Locke and Ogden; by request of Legislative Budget Committee.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, March 2, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 10, 1993, 96-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King; and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) was established in 1951 to promote the economy and efficiency of state government.  The original statute directed the LBC to examine and report on the current condition of all state funds and on whether funds appropriated were expended consistent with statutory directives.  The LBC was also empowered to study the administrative organization and procedures of state government and to make recommendations to the Legislature to eliminate unnecessary, overlapping, or duplicative functions, procedures, or expenditures. 

Over the last 40 years, the LBC has been given additional responsibilities.  In the early 1970s, the LBC was given authority to undertake management surveys and performance audits.  In 1977, the Legislature enacted the Washington Sunset Act which directed the LBC to undertake sunset reviews of state agencies and programs scheduled for termination.

Summary of Bill:  The name of the Legislative Budget Committee is changed to the Joint Committee on Performance Audits.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This name change better reflects what the committee is actually doing.  It was passed unanimously by the LBC.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Jean Silver (pro).