HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2106

                           As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the donation by the department of general administration of personal property to shelters that serve homeless persons.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the division of purchasing to donate state‑owned surplus tangible personal property to certain shelters.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Anderson, Moyer, O'Brien, Bowman, Pruitt, Grant, Padden, Chandler, Nelson, Prentice, Belcher, McLean, Jones, Ferguson, Sheldon, Vance, Holland, Kremen, Braddock, Wood, Zellinsky, Orr, Van Luven, Heavey, Wineberry, Beck, Winsley, Day, Ogden, Lisk, Leonard, Dellwo, Rayburn, Wang, Roland, Forner and Brekke.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, March 6, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 18, 1991, 98-0;

Passed Legislature, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Minority Member; Bowman, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler; R. Fisher; Grant; Moyer; O'Brien; and Sheldon.

Staff:  Linda May (786-7135).

Background:  When state-owned personal property becomes surplus, it becomes the responsibility of the Department of General Administration (GA).  GA may bring the property to a central warehouse and make it available for sale to other state agencies, to nonprofit groups, or to the public.  GA may also sell the surplus goods on site, arrange for some kind of exchange of goods, or dispose of the surplus goods in some other manner.

In 1987, Congress enacted the Homeless Assistance Act.  Under this act, surplus federal property may be donated to qualified shelters which are providing assistance to the homeless.  Surplus items donated under this program include bedding and mattresses, clothing, kitchenware, and tools.  GA administers this program in Washington for the federal government.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of General Administration is authorized to donate state-owned surplus, tangible personal property to shelters providing assistance to the homeless.  The shelters must be participants in the Department of Community Development's Emergency Shelter Assistance Program and must be operated by a nonprofit organization or a local government providing emergency or transitional housing for the homeless. 

GA may donate the surplus property only if four conditions are met: 1) GA has made reasonable efforts to determine if any state agency has a requirement for the goods, and no agency has been identified; 2) the agency owning the property has authorized GA to donate the property; 3) the property under consideration is directly germane to the needs of homeless persons, and the shelter agrees to use the property to address these needs; and 4) the director of GA has determined that the donation of the surplus property is in the best interest of the state.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This legislation is a natural complement to the federal program.  The federal program has had a positive impact on shelters providing for the homeless.  Shelters in the Department of Community Development's ESAP program can be found all across the state and in every county.  This bill would allow shelters to save cash resources.  This bill is consistent with a recommendation of the Governor's Task Force on Homelessness.  It would be a blessing to shelter providers.  Homelessness is increasing, and shelters are having a hard time keeping up.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Michael Levenson, Department of General Administration; and Maureen Howard and Richard Kirk, Washington State Coalition for the Homeless (all in favor).