SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5633

               As Passed Senate, March 19, 1997

Title:  An act relating to performance audit of the department of transportation.

Brief Description:  Requiring a performance audit of the department of transportation.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Strannigan, Long, Patterson and Benton).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/19/97, 3/10/97 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/19/97, 40-8.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5633 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Fraser, Hochstatter, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Steve Jones (786-7440)

Background:  The Department of Transportation was established in 1977 by legislation that combined the Department of Highways, the State Highway Commission, Toll Bridge Authority, Aeronautics Commission, Canal Commission, Board of Pilotage Commission, and other transportation-related functions and programs.

The Department of Transportation is governed by a policy- setting Transportation Commission consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor.  The commission appoints the Secretary of Transportation, who serves as executive head of the department.

The Department of Transportation and Transportation Commission received 1995-97 appropriations of $2.56 billion from state and federal funds for operating and capital purposes.

Summary of Bill:  The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is directed to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Transportation.  In conducting the performance audit, JLARC is directed to identify the department's programs and functions and determine whether the program or function is effectively and efficiently achieving the results for which it was established.  An advisory committee is created to assist JLARC in conducting the audit.  The bill is contingent on legislative appropriation.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  A performance audit is needed to examine potential savings and efficiencies in the Department of Transportation.  The central issue is whether the programs and functions are efficiently and effectively serving their intended purposes.  The department is audited by several state and federal agencies and does strategic planning and performance measurement.  The department would like to be included in the evaluation team and would like to be able to protect confidential data.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Gary Strannigan, prime sponsor; Gretchen White, DOT.