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)
Structural Relationships
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Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC)
Information Set
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Observations
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.
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting (January 22, 2024) - SB 6271 - Public Hearing
A study of changing product tax rates based on cannabinoid content divided cannabis sector interests, while a public health official supported further evaluation of the approach.
WA Legislature - Update (January 22, 2024)
Some legislators seemed eager to at least appear to be eager to earmark unapportioned cannabis excise tax revenue at the beginning of the third week of the 2024 regular session.
WA Legislature - Update (January 18, 2024)
Senators passed the cannabis waste bill and revived out-of-state ownership; new tax bills were coming; the preliminary schedule was published; and 3 hearings were up Thursday morning.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting (January 16, 2024) - HB 2182 - Public Hearing
With some calls for additional data or formatting changes, testimony in a hearing on legislation to set up a WSLCB data dashboard was largely supportive.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting (January 9, 2024) - HB 1650 - Public Hearing
A bill to make cannabis business bans the purview of voters rather than their elected officials drew pushback from local government interests and support from an industry stakeholder.