HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1148

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                              State Government

Title:  An act relating to encouraging youth in citizen service.

Brief Description:  Creating the "serve Washington" pilot program.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Ogden, Wood, Pruitt, Bowman, Anderson, Ferguson, Sprenkle, Jacobsen, Winsley, Morris, Basich and Moyer.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 15, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  The programs of the Washington State Center for Voluntary Action are addressed to the general citizenry of the state.  While volunteer programs for youth are encompassed by this general mission, statute does not list programs or activities especially targeted to youth.

Summary of Bill:  The Serve Washington pilot program is created.  The purpose of the program is to provide funds for K-12 and higher education youth citizen service projects and to full-time service projects for youth who are out of school.  A $200,000 appropriation request is made for administration of the program.

The Center for Voluntary Action and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall identify objectives for projects and indicators to be used to assess the effectiveness of the projects.  The awarding of grants shall be based on the likelihood of accomplishing the objectives.  Grants must be distributed among four categories of youth service projects.  The Center for Voluntary Action will evaluate the projects receiving funding and make information on the projects available to all school districts.

The Serve Washington pilot program is scheduled to terminate in January, 1993.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 5, 1991.

Appropriation:  Yes.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The state should support and promote volunteerism.  Volunteer programs are reasonably priced but not free; this legislation would allow some defraying of costs.  The Center for Voluntary Action has a good track record of administering grant programs.  Youth who have a positive first experience with citizen service may continue to serve in their communities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Val Ogden; Representative Jeannette Wood; Carol Marble, State Council on Voluntary Action; Joby Winans, Department of Community Development; Betty Fallihee, Higher Education Coordinating Board; and Bill Basl, Department of Employment Security (all in favor).