Budget & Taxes (Audits & Accountability)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2058: Concerning third-party audits of private entities receiving public moneys.

HB 2058 requires private organizations receiving public grants in Washington State to hire state-approved third-party auditors to verify how public funds are spent. Audits must detail all state/federal grant money received, itemize spending, confirm proper allocation, assess program effectiveness, and verify community support (e.g., local government resolution). The bill limits administrative costs to under 15% of grant funds and mandates annual reapplication for continued funding. Audits must be submitted to the state auditor within six months and published online.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires third-party audits for public grant spending, limits admin costs to 15%, and mandates fiscal accountability, promoting responsible budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1794: Eliminating the office of financial management.

HB 1794 eliminates Washington State's Office of Financial Management (OFM) and redirects $27.8 million in misused funds from the 2023-2025 budget cycle. It transfers all OFM responsibilities - like budget preparation, financial analysis, and record-keeping - to the Department of Revenue, State Auditor's Office, and State Treasurer's Office. The bill repeals 30+ existing laws governing the OFM and requires all its assets, records, and ongoing contracts to be transferred to the new agencies. This change aims to consolidate financial oversight while recovering nearly all misallocated funds without creating new taxes or spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects misused budget funds to proper fiscal management by transferring OFM responsibilities, promoting accountability and efficient resource allocation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1267: Adjusting funded special education enrollment.

HB 1267 adjusts how Washington school districts receive state funding for special education programs. It gradually increases the "funded enrollment limit" (the percentage of students eligible for special education that districts can count for full funding) from 16% in 2024-25 to 17% by 2026-27. The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to monitor districts for potential over-identification of students for special education services, and mandates corrective action plans and state auditor audits if districts exceed the limit. This directly affects school districts and charter schools with special education enrollment percentages above the phased-in limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for special education by raising enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding eligibility by raising the enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly expanding state resources for K-12 special education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Funding Special Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1800: Establishing accountability requirements for homeless housing grant programs.

HB 1800 requires homeless housing grant recipients in Washington state to submit annual plans by December 1st, detailing projected numbers of people helped and spending per person. The state auditor must annually audit these programs to verify funds are used for authorized purposes, review administrative vs. service costs, and assess whether grantees meet their stated goals. Non-compliance - such as missing deadlines or misusing funds - can result in loss of future grant eligibility. This bill directly affects organizations receiving state homeless housing funds (grantees and subgrantees) by mandating specific reporting and accountability measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual audits and reporting for homeless housing grants to ensure proper fund use, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates accountability for homeless housing grants to ensure effective use of funds and program goals, directly supporting homelessness initiatives and program integrity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Homelessness

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signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1213: Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program.

HB 1213 expands protections for workers in Washington's state paid family and medical leave program. The bill requires the department to enhance outreach to employees, explaining their eligibility, application process, and reinstatement and nondiscrimination rights. It also mandates increased outreach to employers about their responsibilities and authorizes the department to audit employer records for compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies premium collection and calculation methods, and ensures the confidentiality of employee information within the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies premium collection methods for state paid leave program, ensuring proper fiscal management and program funding continuity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands protections for workers in medical leave program, enhancing access to healthcare services through improved eligibility outreach and employer compliance enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands worker protections in paid leave program via enhanced outreach, employer compliance audits, and clarified premium rules, directly strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Insurance Paid Leave

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5687: Increasing the share of sales tax revenue dedicated to performance audits.

SB 5687 increases the portion of Washington's general sales tax revenue dedicated to performance audits from 0.16% to 0.2%. This change applies to taxes collected under RCW 82.08.020(1) on retail sales of tangible goods, digital products, and certain services. The additional funds must be deposited into the "performance audits of government account" established under RCW 43.09.475. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects all businesses collecting retail sales tax in Washington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases sales tax allocation to performance audits, promoting fiscal accountability and efficient government spending per RCW 43.09.475.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Sales Tax

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signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5167: Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.

SB 5167 establishes the operating budget for the state of Washington for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It appropriates funds for the salaries, wages, and operational expenses of various state agencies and offices, directly affecting all state government functions and the services provided to Washington residents. The bill outlines specific allocations, such as for the House of Representatives and the Senate, and includes conditions and limitations on how funds can be spent. For example, it allocates funds for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct performance audits, including a review of juvenile rehabilitation programs. These appropriations cover the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes operating budget appropriations for state agencies, funding essential government operations and services per fiscal biennium requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1198: Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.

This bill establishes the state's operating budget for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, allocating specific funds to Washington state government agencies and legislative bodies. It provides $122.3 million for the House of Representatives, $92.9 million for the Senate, and $14.2 million for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee for salaries and operations across both fiscal years. Funding includes conditions, such as $75,000 for a cost task force that lapses if related legislation isn't enacted by June 2025. The bill directly affects state agencies and legislative operations by setting their annual spending limits for this two-year period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $122.3M for House, $92.9M for Senate, and $14.2M for Audit Committee, directly funding legislative operations under fiscal biennium budget.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2057: Concerning the identification and review of new programs.

HB 2057 requires Washington State agencies to identify and track new programs funded by the state. Specifically, the state auditor must publish an annual draft list (by July 1) of all new programs from the previous fiscal year, including program names, descriptions, funding amounts, and agencies involved. Three years after a program's initial funding, the auditor must conduct a review to assess its effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with original goals, then recommend improvements or termination. This law directly affects state agencies creating new programs, the state auditor, and legislative committees overseeing budget decisions. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer money is used efficiently by mandating regular reviews of new state initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires annual tracking and review of state-funded programs to ensure fiscal responsibility and effectiveness, promoting accountable budget management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5145: Implementing the periodic review of state spending programs.

SB 5145 requires new Washington state spending programs costing over $1 million in their first full biennium (and not self-funded by fees) to include an expiration date no later than 10 years from implementation. It mandates that each program must also include a "state spending performance statement" detailing its legislative purpose and specific, measurable metrics to evaluate effectiveness. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must periodically review these programs using the stated metrics, considering factors like goal achievement, unintended benefits, and fiscal impact, then recommend to the legislature whether to continue, modify, or terminate each program. If a program fails to meet its metrics, the committee must recommend termination, applying to all new programs established after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires expiration dates and performance metrics for state spending programs, promoting fiscal accountability and responsible budget management per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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