The Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) works to make state government operations more effective, efficient, and accountable. The Committee is comprised of an equal number of House and Senate members, Democrats and Republicans. JLARC pursues its mission by conducting performance audits, program evaluations, sunset reviews, and other analyses. Assignments to conduct studies are made by the Legislature and the Committee itself. Based on these assignments, JLARC’s non-partisan staff auditors, under the direction of the Legislative Auditor, independently seek answers to audit questions and issue recommendations to improve performance.
Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee
(JLARC)
Public
Structural Relationships
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Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature) -
Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee
(JLARC) -
Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee
(JLARC I-900 Subcommittee)
Observations
WA Legislature - Update
(February 11, 2025)
Retail advertising concerns drew out public health and prevention representatives, two new bills were staged for introduction, and legislation to clarify authority over testing labs may be moved on Tuesday.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(January 7, 2025) - Data Dashboards
Two newly released data dashboards on cannabis use and revenue were highlighted by staff who explained their process, potential uses, and agency leaders’ plans for future dashboards.
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee - Public Hearing
(November 6, 2024) - Oversight of the Cannabis Industry
WSLCB leaders offered reasons why the State Auditor’s 2018 traceability and project management recommendations hadn’t been implemented before facing critical public testimony.
The Week Ahead
(November 4, 2024)
WSLCB staff planned to delay action on three rulemaking projects before being publicly called to account for a follow-up State performance audit on cannabis traceability and enforcement.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(September 17, 2024) - WSP Update
A panel from the State Patrol reviewed their work supporting local law enforcement to identify and undermine criminal organizations growing cannabis in Washington.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(April 23, 2024) - Summary
Cannabis rulemaking was reviewed, including specifics on implementing a patient excise tax exemption at endorsed stores, and a new survey of social equity program applicants.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 29, 2024) - SB 5950
In his final bill signing, Governor Jay Inslee offered hope Washington would continue to prosper under a supplemental budget with rates of cannabis spending largely the same as 2023.
WA Senate - Session
(March 1, 2024) - HB 1453 - Second and Third Reading
Senators reduced by half the period of time registered patients would be exempted from a cannabis excise tax under HB 1453, but a large majority again supported the change.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 26, 2024)
All three cannabis bills at risk were scheduled for executive sessions before the fiscal committee cutoff on Monday, although two carried potential amendments which could alter their outcomes.
WA Senate WM - Committee Meeting
(February 3, 2024) - SB 6220 - Public Hearing
Lawmakers heard similar testimony during the fiscal considerations of a high THC regulation bill as was given in the policy hearing and later decided not to move the measure.