US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

(1) The transportation commission may review the performance and outcome measures of transportation-related agencies. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the legislature and the governor have the means to adequately and accurately assess the performance and outcomes of those agencies and departments.

     (2) The performance and outcome measures and benchmarks of each transportation-related agency or department may be reviewed at the discretion of the transportation commission, or at the request of the legislature or the governor. In setting the schedule and the extent of performance reviews, the commission shall consider the timing and results of other recent state, federal, and independent reviews and audits, the seriousness of past findings, any inadequate remedial action taken by an agency or department, whether an agency or department lacks performance and outcome measures, and the desirability to include a diverse range of agencies or programs each year. The commission shall avoid duplication of effort in conducting performance reviews by coordinating with the state auditor, [the] joint legislative audit and review committee, the citizen advisory board, and the governor's performance review process.

     (3) The reviews may include, but are not limited to:

     (a) A determination of whether the performance and outcome measures are consistent with legislative mandates, strategic plans, mission statements, and goals and objectives, and whether the legislature has established clear mandates, strategic plans, mission statements, and goals and objectives that lend themselves to performance and outcome measurement;

     (b) An examination of how agency management uses the measures to manage resources in an efficient and effective manner;

     (c) An assessment of how performance benchmarks are established for the purpose of assessing overall performance compared to external standards and benchmarks;

     (d) An examination of how an analysis of the measurement data is used to make planning and operational improvements;

     (e) A determination of how performance and outcome measures are used in the budget planning, development, and allotment processes and the extent to which the agency is in compliance with its responsibilities under RCW 43.88.090;

     (f) A review of how performance data are reported to and used by the legislature both in policy development and resource allocation;

     (g) An assessment of whether the performance measure data are reliable and collected in a uniform and timely manner;

     (h) A determination whether targeted funding investments and established priorities of government actually produce the intended and expected services and benefits; and

     (i) Recommendations as necessary or appropriate.

     (4) For the purposes of this section, "transportation-related agencies" means any state or local agency, board, special purpose district, or commission that receives or generates funding primarily for transportation-related purposes. At a minimum, the department of transportation, the Washington state patrol, the department of licensing, the transportation improvement board or its successor entity, the county road administration board or its successor entity, and the traffic safety commission are considered transportation-related agencies.

     (5) The state auditor, legislative auditor, governor, and director of the office of financial management shall report to the transportation commission on an annual basis concerning their performance improvement efforts to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of effort.

[2006 c 334 § 44.]

Notes:

Effective date -- 2006 c 334: See note following RCW 47.01.051.