Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1178
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Addressing the office of regulatory assistance.
Sponsors: Representatives Appleton and Miloscia; by request of Office of Regulatory Assistance.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/31/11
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
Originally created as the Permit Assistance Center in 1995, the ORA has evolved from its original mission of providing the public with information on environmental permitting and regulatory laws to a primary point of contact for information on and assistance in navigating the state's environmental and business regulatory systems.
Specifically, the ORA:
provides information regarding permits;
maintains a website that provides extensive information on permit laws, including relevant local, state, federal, and tribal laws;
acts as a service center;
provides project scoping services;
offers, under agreement, coordinated permit processes for certain projects; and
participates in multiagency permitting teams.
In 2010 the ORA was subject to a sunset review by the Joint Legislative Auditor and Review Committee (JLARC). The following recommendations were made by JLARC:
the Legislature should continue the ORA without further sunset reviews;
the ORA should include in its biennial reports information on tasks that are and are not working; and
the ORA should improve its reports to the Legislature for purposes of tracking previous performance targets.
Summary of Bill:
The termination date for the ORA is repealed. The duty of reporting the effects of rulemaking on the regulatory system to the Governor and the Legislature are transferred from the OFM to the ORA.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.