SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 1327

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                                MARCH 28, 1991

Brief Description:  Revising sunset review responsibilities of the legislative budget committee.

SPONSORS:Representatives Anderson, Silver, R. Fisher, McLean, Pruitt, Bowman, Moyer, Chandler, Paris, Hochstatter, Wynne, D. Sommers, Miller and Brekke.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991; March 28, 1991

BACKGROUND:

When the sunset process was enacted in 1977, a Select Joint Committee was created to establish orderly schedules for review and termination of state agencies and programs.  In the early years, the Select Joint Committee did propose new schedules, but it has not met since 1982.  Agencies have been added to the sunset review schedule from time to time by separate bills.  The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) is responsible for reviewing state agencies and programs scheduled for termination under the Sunset Act.  The LBC has previously proposed legislation to modify the sunset review schedule and make other changes in its workload.

SUMMARY:

The responsibilities of developing, monitoring, and modifying the sunset review schedule are transferred from the Select Joint Committee on Sunset Review to the Legislative Budget Committee (LBC).  The Select Joint Committee is eliminated, and its enabling legislation repealed.  The LBC is directed to submit legislation when necessary, adding appropriate agencies or otherwise modifying the sunset review schedule.  When preparing legislation for the sunset review schedule, the LBC is to seek recommendations from standing committees such as the House State Government and Appropriations Committees and the Senate Governmental Operations and Ways and Means Committees.  The LBC will also consider any recommendations from the Governor.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Cheryle Broom and Jerry McLaughlin (answered questions only)