Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
ESSB 6078
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: Implementing efficiencies in the management of the state's natural resources.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters (originally sponsored by Senators Ranker, Swecker, Regala, Kline, Schoesler, Fain, Kilmer, Harper, Shin, Litzow, Fraser, Keiser, Conway, Hargrove and Rolfes).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/16/12
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
Washington has a number of state agencies and programs involved in managing the state's natural resources and environment. These agencies include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Ecology, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Natural Resources, the Recreation and Conservation Office, the Puget Sound Partnership, and the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
These agencies are arranged in an array of governance structures. Among the agencies are those governed by an independently elected official, citizen commissions with Governor-appointed members, and agencies that are led by gubernatorially-appointed directors.
Summary of Bill:
The following state agencies are given specific direction to develop a process to identify, analyze, and implement administrative efficiency achievements: the State Parks and Recreation Commission; the Recreation and Conversation Office; the Puget Sound Partnership; the State Conservation Commission; and the departments of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Ecology (agencies).
The efficiency achievements must be coordinated with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and focus on areas such as process outcomes, interagency collaboration, consolidation of administrative functions, and facility colocation. In each area, the agencies must identify and analyze opportunities to improve the effectiveness of agency operations and resource management.
The agencies must maintain regular communications among each other and identify efficiencies must be effectuated when deemed appropriate by the agencies. Significant examples of improvements must be documented by the agencies. Annually, the agencies must develop a report to the Legislature regarding the implementation of the required processes, outcomes accomplished, and budget or legislative recommendations necessary to achieve efficiencies.
The OFM may also identify facility colocation opportunities independent from the agencies. If the OFM identifies a colocation opportunity, the agencies may determine that the recommendation does not meet the need of the agencies. If the agencies reject the recommendation, the OFM may still require the colocation to occur if the director of the OFM determines that the colocation would result in significant cost savings and efficiencies and is in the best interest of the state.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 13, 2012.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.