SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESB 5961

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1992

Brief Description:  Relating to fiscal matters.

SPONSORS: Senator McDonald

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786‑7715)

Hearings Date(s):

BACKGROUND:

The agencies and institutions of state government operate on a fiscal biennium that begins on July 1 of each off-numbered year.  During the 1991 legislative session, the 1991-93 Omnibus Appropriations Act was adopted and amended.

SUMMARY:

Higher Education Tuition Waivers.  Reduces the amount of GF-S savings from tuition waiver reductions by lowering the percentage reduction in such waivers from 13 percent to 6.6 percent.  The total GF-S savings is reduced from $7.9 million assumed in the conference report on ESHB 2470 to $4 million.  The percentage reduction applies to all four-year institutions and the community colleges (excluding the adult basic education program).  The maximum reduction to any individual waiver program is no more than 13.2 percent for fiscal year 1993.

DSHS Vendor Rate Increases.  The July 1, 1992 DSHS vendor rate for foster care, family support services, juvenile group homes, and developmental disabilities programs is increased from 2 percent to 3 percent.  The January 1, 1993 vendor rate is increased from 3 percent to 3.2 percent for most vendors.  Foster care, family support services and juvenile group homes, will continue to receive a 5 percent increase; developmental disabilities programs will continue to receive a 6 percent increase.  This raises the total GF-S vendor rate increase appropriation by about $2 million (from $23.6 million to $25.6 million).

Appropriation:  $3,580,000 from the general fund of which $1,594,000 is from federal funds.

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested