SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5405
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
State Government & Elections, February 12, 2021
Title: An act relating to racial equity analysis for the joint legislative audit and review committee work.
Brief Description: Instructing the joint legislative audit and review committee to perform racial equity analyses.
Sponsors: Senators Hasegawa, Conway, Liias, Nguyen, Salda?a and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government & Elections: 2/10/21, 2/12/21 [DP-WM, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to incorporate a racial equity analysis, or note if a racial equity analysis is not necessary or appropriate, in its performance audits, sunset reviews, and other audits or reports. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Hasegawa.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Wilson, J., Ranking Member; Hawkins.
Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)
Background:

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) has 16 members; eight senators and eight representatives, with four from each caucus of each chamber.  The nonpartisan staff of JLARC conduct performance audits, program evaluations, sunset reviews, and other analyses assigned by the Legislature and JLARC itself.
Summary of Bill:

JLARC must incorporate a racial equity analysis, or note if a racial equity analysis is not necessary or appropriate, in its performance audits, sunset reviews, and other audits or reports.  JLARC may work with the Office of Equity and ethnic commissions to design the racial equity analysis. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  JLARC is a nationally recognized institution for the work they do.  JLARC has multiple functions to provide performance audits, review citizen commission for performance measurements of tax preferences as well as other reviews of programs the state has.  When JLARC does reviews they do not have the capacity to do as many reviews as may be needed but I often ask whether racial disproportionalities or disparate impacts as a result of a program and JLARC often indicates it is not a statutory requirement for them.  This bill would make that analysis a part of their reviews.  The fiscal impact may not be as high as is reflected in the fiscal note.  It is important to take a look at where racism is institutionalized within our programs.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Bob Hasegawa, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.