FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2486
C 126 L 94
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Delaying or repealing specified sunset provisions.
By Representatives Ogden, Silver, Fuhrman, Valle, Sommers, Chandler, Brough, Dyer, Talcott, Forner, Long and Wood; by request of Legislative Budget Committee.
House Committee on State Government
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Government Operations
Background: The Asian-American Affairs Commission was established in 1972 by executive order, and in 1974 by the Legislature, to advocate for the concerns and needs of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Washington state. The 12-member commission advises the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies on desirable changes in programs and the law, and on program implementation. The commission also conducts educational activities and publishes resource information. The commission is scheduled to sunset in 1996.
In 1949, the Legislature established the Human Rights Commission to carry out the provisions of the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The commission investigates complaints alleging unfair practices and state agency noncompliance with affirmative action rules. The five- member commission also formulates anti-discrimination policies and makes recommendations to state and local government agencies on these policies. The commission is authorized to conduct technical studies and educational programs. The commission is scheduled to sunset in 1996.
The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (MWBE) was established in 1983 to provide for increased participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses in state contracting and purchasing. The office certifies MWBE firms, monitors compliance with the law, investigates complaints, sets annual participation goals, and conducts informational and educational programs. The office has a 21-member advisory committee to assist in policy development. The office is scheduled to sunset in 1995.
The State Fire Protection Policy Board was created in 1986 to develop a comprehensive state policy regarding fire protection services. The duties of the 10-member board include adopting a state fire protection master plan, adopting a state fire training and education master plan, developing plans regarding the construction and operation of training facilities, and developing arson control programs. The board is scheduled to sunset in 1996.
In 1947, the Washington School Directors' Association was established to coordinate programs and procedures pertaining to policy-making, control, and management of school districts. The 15-member association is funded from membership dues. It is scheduled to sunset in 1998.
In 1993, the Legislature enacted the Linked Deposit Program to provide an incentive for financial institutions to make loans to minority-owned and women-owned businesses at reduced rates. The program has not yet been implemented, but is scheduled to sunset in 1996.
The Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship Program was established in 1987 to encourage outstanding students to enter the teaching profession. The program is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Participants are required to repay the conditional scholarship, with interest, unless they teach for 10 years in the public schools of the state.
According to the Legislative Budget Committee, sunset or other oversight reviews have previously been conducted for the Asian-American Affairs Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, and the Washington School Directors' Association.
Summary: The sunset reviews and termination dates for the following offices, boards, commissions, and associations are repealed: The Asian-American Affairs Commission; the Human Rights Commission; the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises; the State Fire Protection Policy Board; and the Washington School Directors' Association.
The sunset of the Linked Deposit Program is moved from 1996 to 2000. The Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship Program is extended until June 30, 1995.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 91 0
Senate 35 11 (Senate amended)
House (House refused to concur)
Conference Committee
Senate 42 3
House 96 0
Effective: June 9, 1994