SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6426

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, February 9, 2010

Title: An act relating to eliminating boards and commissions.

Brief Description: Eliminating certain boards and commissions.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice and Tom; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/08/10, 2/09/10 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6426 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hewitt, Honeyford, Kline, Murray, Parlette, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Staff: Steve Jones (786-7440)

Background: Boards, commissions, councils, and advisory committees (boards) fill a variety of roles. For example, some are responsible for licensing various activities, while others advise state agencies in matters ranging from procedure to technology. Often boards are created as a requirement for a federal grant. Some boards receive staff support from an agency. Members of some boards receive travel compensation and reimbursement from an agency.

Boards can be created in four ways:

  1. by general statute giving an agency authority to create a board for one or more purposes;

  2. by specific statute naming the board as well as its purpose, powers, and duties;

  3. by executive order of the Governor; or

  4. by order of the Supreme Court.

On December 16, 2008, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) released the revised version of a report entitled Review of Boards and Commissions: Pre-Audit. The JLARC report identified 470 boards and commissions currently operating, or not known to have been disbanded.

By January 8 of every odd-numbered year, the Governor must submit to the Legislature a report recommending which boards and commissions should be terminated or consolidated. The report must include executive request legislation implementing the recommendations of the report.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The following boards and commissions are suspended until July 1, 2012:

The following boards and commissions are consolidated:

The following boards and commissions are eliminated:

By July 1, 2011, the Governor must make further recommendations to the Legislature on the suspension or elimination of state boards and commissions.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board, the Livestock Identification Advisory Board, and the Real Estate Appraiser Commission are not eliminated. The frequency of the meetings of the Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board is limited.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: OTHER: Please retain the Council for Children & Families, the Children Services Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council on Adult Education, the Workforce Customer Advisory Committee, the EMS & Trauma Care Steering Committee, the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board, the Escrow Commission, the Fire Protection Policy Board, the Livestock Identification Advisory Board, the Regional Fish Enhancement Group Advisory Board, and the Home Inspectors Advisory Licensing Board.

Persons Testifying: OTHER: Kathleen Drew, Governor's Policy Office; Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society; Robb Menaul, Washington State Hospital Association; Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association; Bob Maruska, Capital Projects Advisory Review Board, Tami Warnke, Escrow Association of Washington; TJ Hedrow, Washington State Firefighters Association; Terry Kohl, American Society of Home Inspectors; Paul Ancich, Regional Fish Enhancement Group Coalition; Jack Field, Washington Cattlemen's Association.