SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5066

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            State & Local Government, March 3, 1999

Title:  An act relating to reports to the Legislature.

Brief Description:  Imposing a penalty for state agencies that fail to meet legislative reporting requirements.

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley, Hargrove, Benton and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/27/99, 3/3/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5066 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline and McCaslin.

Staff:  Sharon Swanson (786-7445)

Background:  Many statutes require agencies to file reports with the Legislature.  Legislators and citizens depend on the reports to provide accurate and timely information upon which legislators can make an informed opinion as to whether or not a given public policy should continue.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee may review, upon a legislator=s petition, any instance where a state agency has a legislative mandate to report on a specific matter by a date certain.  If the committee finds the agency has failed to report or failed to make a responsive report, it may request the Governor and agency head to explain in writing why the legislative mandate has not been met and when it will be met.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill permitted the Legislature to fine the agency $100,000 by concurrent resolution.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  It takes a hammer over their heads to get the attention of these agencies, yet we do not want to fine the agency because that harms the clients.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Fairley, prime sponsor.