OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law today that requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to incorporate a racial equity analysis into its audits, reviews and evaluations.
JLARC consists of 16 members evenly split between senators and representatives in the Republican and Democratic caucuses. Nonpartisan staff within JLARC evaluate programs and conduct performance audits, sunset reviews, and other analyses as assigned by the Legislature.
Senate Bill 5405 was sponsored by Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D-Seattle) and allows JLARC to work with statewide commissions to design the racial equity analysis.
“This is an important addition to other work we have done this session to advance racial equity,” said Hasegawa. “As a member of JLARC, I have been disappointed in the past to hear that this sort of analysis wasn’t available for review. It is so important that the racial equity impact of every piece of legislation we work on is considered, and this is a step towards that goal.”
The bill will take effect July 25, 2021.
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