SB 5748-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares that it is essential that the legislature improve the accountability and efficiency of transportation-related agencies and measure transportation system performance against benchmarks established in chapter 5, Laws of 2002. Taxpayers must know that their tax dollars are being well spent to deliver critically needed transportation projects and services. To accomplish this, the transportation performance audit board is created and a system of transportation functional and performance audits is established to provide oversight and accountability of transportation-related agencies.

Creates the transportation performance audit board.

Authorizes the transportation performance audit board to review the performance and outcome measures of transportation-related agencies. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the legislature has the means to adequately and accurately assess the performance and outcomes of those agencies and departments. Where two or more agencies have shared responsibility for functions or priorities of government, these reviews can also determine whether effective interagency cooperation and collaboration occurs in areas such as program coordination, administrative structures, information systems, and administration of grants and loans.

Declares that, in conducting these reviews, the transportation performance audit board may work in consultation with the legislative transportation committee, the joint legislative audit and review committee, the office of financial management, and other state agencies.

Provides that, to the greatest extent possible, or when requested by the executive committee of the legislative transportation committee, the legislative auditor shall contract with and consult with private independent professional and technical experts to optimize the independence of the reviews and performance audits. In determining the need to contract with private experts, the legislative auditor shall consider the degree of difficulty of the review or audit, the relative cost of contracting for expertise, and the need to maintain auditor independence from the subject agency or program.

Provides that completed performance audits must be presented to the transportation performance audit board and the legislative transportation committee. Published performance audits must be made available to the public through the legislative transportation committee and the joint legislative audit and review committee's web site and through customary public communications. Final reports must also be transmitted to the appropriate policy and fiscal standing committees of the legislature.

Directs the transportation performance audit board to take steps to ensure that the department of transportation is the first agency subject to the performance review and audit process established in this act.