HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5253

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, Lee, Sellar, Peterson, Gaspard, Halsan, Conner, Deccio, Kreidler, Tanner, Hansen, Stratton, Kiskaddon and Bauer)

Changing provisions relating to displaced homemakers.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers, Sutherland, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:John B. Welsh, Jr.  (786-7133)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment by Committee on Human Services as further amended by Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations.  (21)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair, Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, McMullen, Nealey, Niemi, Peery, Sayan, Silver, H. Sommers, Sprenkle and B. Williams.

House Staff:      Bill Robinson (786-7142)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently, county auditors are required by law to charge a total of $18 for issuing marriage licenses.  This includes a $5 fee for funding displaced homemaker services added by the legislature in 1982 and which is scheduled to expire on June 30, 1987.

In 1979 the legislature authorized a two-year pilot project to establish programs for displaced homemakers.  In 1982, the legislature extended these services to June 30, 1987.

The purpose of the Displaced Homemaker Act is to assist women in regaining a measure of economic security and independence who have been left without income resources under circumstances involving divorce or the death or disability of their spouse. The services provided include counseling, education and training, and referral to assist them in qualifying for employment prospects.  The program is administered through the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

SUMMARY:

County auditors are required to continue to collect an additional fee for issuing marriage licenses for funding services provided to displaced homemakers, and the fee is increased from $5 to $10.  The legislature will appropriate an amount equal to the revenue generated by this fee to fund the program.

The executive coordinator of the Higher Education Coordinating Board is required to appoint a Displaced Homemaker Advisory Committee of twenty-two persons, one of which will be, presently or recently, a displaced homemaker.  The Advisory Committee is to advise the executive coordinator and staff on the administration of the program and coordination of its activities with other state and federal programs.

The termination date of the Displaced Homemakers Act on June 30, 1987 is repealed.

The new law takes effect on July 1, 1987.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

Effective Date:The bill takes effect on July 1, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Human Services)  Fred Saeger, Washington Association of County Officials; Charlie Arnold, Displaced Homemaker Program; Carol Spray, Displaced Homemaker Program; and Delores Teutsch, State Coordinator, Displaced Homemaker Program.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Pat Thibeadeau, Washington Women United.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Human Services)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Human Services)  The marriage license fee is a very important source of funding for displaced homemaker services, representing some 80 percent.  These services are important as the caseload has been increasing.  The objective of the program is to increase the employability of displaced homemakers.  More than 50 percent of invested dollars is returned to the State Treasury through tax revenues.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  The objective of the program is to increase the employability of displaced homemakers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Human Services)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.