HB 1643 requires OFM, no later than Jan. 1, 2016, to report on the expected impact of bills and resolutions dealing with corrections, child welfare, and mental health issues which increase or decrease state government revenues or expenditures. In addition, OFM must estimate the fiscal impact of expenditures as well as any return on investment as a result of the legislation. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) and OFM, in consultation with university-based research institutions, must work together to implement this provision. The deadline is January 1, 2016.
The bill also requires OFM and WSIPP to create a workgroup (the make-up of which is specified in the legislation) to conduct fiscal analyses, including the governor’s proposed budgets, long-term budget projections, cost estimates on proposed and introduced legislation. The workgroup will report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees no later than December 1, 2015.
