BILL REQ. #:  H-1265.1 

Read first time 02/18/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to performance audits of regional transit authorities; and adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:
     The governing board of an authority implementing a high-capacity transportation system plan developed under chapter 81.104 RCW shall appoint an administrative auditor and shall retain a qualified firm or firms to conduct performance audits. A firm conducting an audit must be independent and not have an interest, direct or indirect, in a contract with the authority other than its employment. No member or employee of the firm may be connected with the authority as an officer, employee, or contractor. The administrative auditor and the firm or firms shall be independently and directly responsible to the governing board. The board shall require a firm to conduct continuing audits of the methods, procedures, and organization used by the agency to control costs, schedules, productivity, contract amendments, project design, and any other topics deemed desirable by the board. The board may also require a firm to analyze particular technical aspects of the authority's projects and contract amendments. The firm or firms shall provide advice to the board in its management and control of the authority. At least once each year, the firm or firms shall prepare and furnish a report of its actions and recommendations to the board for the purpose of enabling it to attain the highest degree of efficiency in the management and control of any high-capacity transportation system being planned, designed, under construction, or in operation. The administrative auditor shall assist the firm or firms in the performance of its duties. The administrative auditor and the firm or firms shall consult regularly with the board and furnish any information or data to the board that the administrative auditor, firm, or governing board deems helpful in accomplishing the purpose stated in this section. The administrative auditor shall perform such other duties as the board prescribes to accomplish the purposes of this section.
     Upon the concurrent request of the chair of the house transportation committee and the chair of the senate highways and transportation committee, the operating agency shall report to the committees on a quarterly basis.