HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5751

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 Summary of Bill

Requires the Office of Financial Management to compile an inventory of state agency fees.
Requires the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program to publish the fee inventory on its state expenditure information website.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Hunter, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Carlyle, Cody, Dahlquist, Dunshee, Fagan, Green, Haigh, Haler, Harris, Hudgins, Hunt, Jinkins, Kagi, Maxwell, Morrell, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Pike, Ross, Schmick, Seaquist, Springer, Sullivan and Taylor.

Background:

Agencies of state government may charge user fees or regulatory fees to recover all or part of the cost of a service, benefit, or regulatory program. The amount of the fee may be set in statute or determined by the agency pursuant to an administrative delegation of authority from the Legislature.

Summary of Bill:

Every state agency and state institution of higher education must report to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) an inventory of all fees charged by the agency or institution. The inventory must include the purpose of the fee, the amount of the fee, the statutory authority for the fee, and the amount of the fee over the previous five years. The agencies and institutions must update the information at least once every two years.

The OFM must compile a statewide inventory of all of the fee information submitted by state agencies and institutions. The inventory must be made available to the public on the website of state expenditure information maintained by the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program (LEAP).

"Fee" is defined as a charge established by law or administrative rule for the benefit of a service or to cover the cost of a regulatory program or administering a program for which the fee payer benefits. The fee definition excludes taxes, penalties, inter-governmental charges, pension or health care contributions or rates, state-operated insurance programs, and individualized cost recoveries.

The OFM must convene a work group to develop a process to increase the frequency and public accessibility of the fee inventory. The work group will include representatives from the LEAP, the Office of Regulatory Assistance, and the departments of Licensing, Labor and Industries, Transportation, and Health.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill provides transparency and openness in government. The public wants information on how much government costs and why. The Office of Financial Management has been good to work with and will keep the costs reasonable.

(Opposed) None.