Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 2618

Brief Description:  Demonstrating accountability through reviews of state agencies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, Dickerson, Ruderman and Ogden.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct audits of performance and outcomes measures for all state agencies, beginning with the Department of Ecology, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Social and Health Services.

Hearing Date:  2/1/02

Staff:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) provides oversight of state funded programs and activities. This committee consists of eight senators and eight representatives equally divided between the two major political parties.  JLARC  conducts performance audits, performance reviews, sunset reviews, program evaluations, and other studies as directed by the Legislature.  In addition to special studies assigned by the Legislature, JLARC develops a biennial work plan that identifies state agency programs for evaluation.

Summary of Bill:

JLARC shall conduct performance reviews of state agencies and programs that have significant fiscal or program impact, represent major policy issues, or compel public interest.  In identifying agencies or programs for reviews, JLARC will consult with appropriate fiscal and policy standing committees of the Legislature.  The reviews of performance and outcome measures shall eventually include all agencies of state government.

JLARC will develop a common methodology for the reviews and, at a minimum, the reviews will:

$Determine the consistency of performance and outcome measures with legislative mandates, strategic plans, mission statements, and goals and objectives;

$Examine how measures are used by management to efficiently and effectively manage resources;

$Assess how benchmarks are established to assess overall performance compared to external standards and benchmarks;

$Examine how an analysis of the measurement data is used to make planning and operational improvements;

$Review how performance data are reported to and used by the Legislature;

$Assess whether the performance measure data are reliable and collected in a uniform and timely manner;

$Make recommendations as necessary.

By June 30, 2003, JLARC will conduct reviews of the Department of Ecology, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Social and Health Services, and will present an assessment of the results of the reviews to the policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature.  In its assessment, JLARC shall include recommendations on how the review process might be improved, and options for extending the review process to other agencies and programs.

Completed audits shall be presented to the joint committee and published in the same manner as for other JLARC audits and reviews.  Final reports shall also be submitted to the appropriate policy and fiscal standing committees of the Legislature.

A technical change is made to delete the reference in statute to the "Legislative Office of Performance Review" as it does not exist.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill

JLARC will conduct "audits" as opposed to "reviews" and will include in these audits an assessment of how internal and external customer satisfaction are integrated with performance and outcome measures to make operational improvements.  JLARC is required to develop an implementation plan to complete audits of all government agencies and report this plan to the Legislature no later than January 31, 2003.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 27, 2002.

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