A step toward accountability

Sen. Mark Schoesler's bill requiring the state Office of Financial Management (OFM) to update its list of agency fees is the right step in the direction for improved government accountability.

The Ritzville Republican's bill was approved unanimously by the state House and Senate recently and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee Tuesday.

The statewide inventory will list the agency collecting the fee, the fee's purpose, the fee's amount during the last five years and the law calling for the fee. The inventory will include fees from all state agencies and higher education institutions.

Some examples of fees include charges for operating non-profit bingo games or launching a boat in a state park.

The OFM made the state fee database in 2008 for the more than 40 agencies that collect fees, but it hadn't been updated.

Starting in late July, keeping the fee inventory current is required as part of the new law.

The OFM must form a work group to figure out a process for the updates and provide ideas to increase the public's access, according to the bill's digest.

The workgroup will be comprised of representatives from the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program, the Office of Regulatory Assistance, and the state departments of Licensing, Labor and Industries, Transportation and Health.

We hope the work group keeps ease of public access in mind when deciding how to implement the changes.

And perhaps some fees can be consolidated or eliminated to save taxpayers money.

- Editorial Board