SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5199

               As Passed Senate, March 10, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the elimination and consolidation of boards and commissions.

Brief Description:  Eliminating and consolidating boards and commissions.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Quigley, Winsley, Haugen, Snyder, Sheldon, McAuliffe, Franklin and Drew; by request of Governor Lowry).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/1/95, 2/22/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/10/95, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5199 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The Governor has the responsibility to conduct a biennial review of the boards, commissions, councils and committees of state government.  This review results in recommended legislation every odd-numbered year.

The recommendations are made based on specific criteria for the termination or consolidation of these boards and other entities.

Summary of Bill:  A total of 46 boards, councils, commissions and committees is affected as follows:  one is reconfigured, 31 are eliminated outright, and 14 are consolidated into four merged boards.  In place of the abolished Hydraulic Appeals Board, an advisory committee is created to recommend changes to the statutes and regulatory process which will facilitate improved service to the public.  The committee expires on December 31, 1996.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This is a good government bill which cleans up the statutes by eliminating nonfunctioning boards and consolidating others.

Testimony Against:  Some boards are serving a purpose and are doing a good job.  Their functions should be continued.

Testified:  Mike Collins, DOL Business & Professional Division (pro); Tamara Warnke, Ted Grimes, Dennis Daugs, Escrow Association of WA (con); Jim Noel, WA State Funeral Directors (con); Cyreis Schmitt, Gene Cross, Everett Plaza Beauty School; Mark Gjurasic, Bonita McConnell, Frank Lamb, WA Collectors Association (con); Stan Finkelstein, AWC (pro); Lois Anderson, WSDOT (pro).