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Committee hears bill to reduce and modernize state reporting requirements
Summary
A committee bill would remove dozens of outdated statutory reporting requirements, adjust frequencies for others, and allow some reports to be posted online rather than submitted to the legislature; OFM sponsored the request to free agency capacity and save money.
Senate Bill 6,160 would repeal, consolidate or change the frequency of many statutorily required agency reports and allow some reports to be posted on agency websites instead of formally submitted to the legislature or governor.
Danielle Creech, committee staff, told members the proposed substitute removes 46 report requirements across 16 agencies and adjusts the frequency or due dates for 12 other reports. ‘‘The more information about these reports can be found on pages 5 and 6 of the bill report,’’ Creech said.
Sponsor (identified in the transcript as Senator Christian Dawson) and Sherry Sawyer of the Office of Financial Management described the bill as an OFM request aimed at streamlining government work so agencies can focus on higher‑priority tasks. ‘‘This will allow OFM to work thoughtfully with the state agencies alongside them to identify reports that should be eliminated or adjusted,’’ the sponsor said.
Deputy Director Sophia Byrd McSherry of the Washington State Office of Public Defense asked to be considered for a future amendment, noting several of the Office of Public Defense’s reports are outdated and could be removed or adjusted.
Committee members expressed support for efficiency but also emphasized the need to preserve reports that remain useful. One member said they would work to restore specific reports they want to keep. The committee recorded pro and con sign-ins but took no immediate final action in the public hearing.
What’s next: the committee closed the public hearing; staff and sponsors indicated they would continue to work with agencies and members on adjustments and possible targeted restorations.
