SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6515
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 of February 4, 2010
Title: An act relating to refocusing the mission of the department of commerce, including transferring programs.
Brief Description: Refocusing the department of commerce, including transferring programs.
Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Kilmer and Shin; by request of Washington State Department of Commerce.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Innovation: 1/27/10.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & INNOVATION |
Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)
Background: The Legislature changed the name of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to the Department of Commerce (Department) in 2009 and directed the agency to collaborate with others and make a report with recommendations on statutory changes to ensure that the Department's efforts, among other things:
organize around a concise core mission;
align with the state's comprehensive plan for economic development;
generate greater local capacity to respond to local opportunities and needs;
maximize results through partnerships and the use of intermediaries; and
provide increased accountability.
The report was also to include recommendations for creating, consolidating, transferring, or terminating programs based on the Department's core mission.
The Department submitted a report that set forth a mission of growing and improving jobs and outlined program transfers that will help advance its mission.
Summary of Bill: The County Public Health Assistance program and the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust are transferred to the Department of Health.
The Community Mobilization program, the Housing Assistance for Persons with Mental Illness Program, the Independent Youth Housing Program, the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy and related grant and assistance programs are transferred to the Department of Social and Health Services.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is transferred to the Utilities and Transportation Commission.
The Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman is transferred to the Office of Financial Management.
The State Building Code Council is transferred to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
The Drug Prosecution Assistance Program is transferred to the Criminal Justice Training Commission.
The goals of the state's energy strategy are to:
increase competitiveness and economic security;
develop a clean energy economy and jobs;
meet the state's obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
maintain competitive energy prices.
State policy to meet these goals is established and the Department is to produce an updated state energy strategy and implementation report by December 1, 2010, and every five years thereafter.
The Municipal Research Council is abolished and the Department is to assume its duties of contracting for municipal research and services to cities, towns, counties, and special purpose districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2010.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We need to focus the agency. The bill requests 11 programs be transferred to achieve better mission alignment. The Department acknowledges some constituents may not want programs to move, but having a clearer focus for the Department is important to the state. Energy represents a critical economic opportunity. We need an updated energy strategy.
CON: Community Mobilization should stay in the Department. Mental Health Housing should stay in the Department. Keep Independent Youth Housing in the Department. The prohibition on intervening should not be repealed. There should be a new office with autonomy, reporting to the Director. The programs that are community based should be in a new department because DSHS is more crisis focused. All housing programs should be kept together.
OTHER: There is concern about transferring employees. There is concern about the process for updating the energy strategy. It needs to be more deliberative and engage the Legislature and the general public - this should not just be an administrative function of the Governor's office. L&I might not be the right place for the Building Codes Council because of a conflict between standards setting and enforcement. The Department of General Administration might be a better home because they have an architecture and engineering division. Moving the Long Term Care Ombudsmen would be a distraction; it could be in a community services division of the Department.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Rogers Weed, Department of Commerce.
CON: Steve Jewell, Safe Streets; Nick Federice, WA Low Income Housing Alliance; Seth Dawson, WA Coalition for the Homeless; Anna Shelton, Resolution WA; Lonnie Johns Brown, WA Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs.
OTHER: Stan Bowman, American Institutes of Architects, WA Council; Kent Lopez, WA Rural Electrical Cooperative Assn.; Alia Griffing, WA Federation of State Employees; Louise Ryan, Long-term Care Ombudsman Program-Multiservice Center.