FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5265

C 45 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the role of volunteerism within state government.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Zeiger, Hunt, Bailey and Hawkins).

Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations

Background: Serve Washington, formerly the Washington Commission for National and Community Service, was established under Governor Executive Order 16-08 to:

• comply with federal requirements pertaining to state commissions on national and community service;

• seek additional sources of non-federal funds, especially private funds, to meet matching requirements and build upon existing service initiatives;

• provide recommendations to the Governor pertaining to legislative or policy initiatives that promote the ethic of service;

• identify policies or practices that lead to the expansion of national service opportunities in Washington and support federal programs and efforts that expand national service; and

• provide the leadership and vision to make service a part of the lives of all Washingtonians.

Serve Washington is made up of 20 members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. The Office of Financial Management administers federal grants and provides state resources for staffing and supporting Serve Washington.

Summary: Serve Washington must conduct a review of volunteer opportunities within the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Washington Military Department, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, state mental hospital programs, state developmental disability programs, and state litter clean-up programs. The study must include:

• evaluation of volunteer utilization;

• cost and benefits of volunteer programs;

• identification of any barriers to volunteerism and recommendations to remove barriers;

• recommendations on ways the state can support agencies in growing volunteer programs that will supplement rather than replace or reduce staff or services; and

• recommended methods for strengthening connections between state agency volunteer programs and the state's volunteer infrastructure.

A report of the information and findings from the review must be submitted to the Legislature by July 1, 2020.

Votes on Final Passage: