Committee presses for real cost data before fee cuts; Christofferson to file fee‑cost reporting bill

Representative Thurston's General Government Appropriations Subcommittee spent the morning pressing agencies for better data on state fees and hearing from a sponsor who says he will require actual cost reporting before lawmakers change rates.

Alejandra Rodriguez, a staff economist with the Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office, demonstrated a new fee dashboard the subcommittee will use to compare fee amounts, estimated quantities and program costs. Rodriguez said the current fee bill in the packet shows last year's approved amounts and that staff will present fee changes on substitute versions so members can see additions and deletions. She told members staff will flag fee changes on a "do not approve" list until agencies provide additional information.

"We didn't feel like [estimates] was enough information to help you really evaluate the impact of a fee change," Rodriguez said, arguing members need…