FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2676

PARTIAL VETO

                        C 9 L 94 E 1

Brief Description:  Restructuring boards, committees, commissions and councils.

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Dunshee, Reams, Anderson, Patterson, Bray, R. Meyers, Basich, Johanson, Pruitt, Ogden, Wolfe, G. Cole, Moak, Valle, H. Myers, Kremen, Silver, Kessler, Conway, Cothern, Morris, Rayburn and J. Kohl; by request of Governor Lowry).

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  In the 1991-93 biennium, the state had 569 operating boards and commissions.  The Office of Financial Management reports that while many of the boards and commissions are funded through member fees, state agency management of the boards and commissions has significant indirect costs.

Summary:  Thirty general government boards, councils and commissions are abolished.  Twelve health boards and commissions are consolidated into five quality-assurance commissions or councils.  An additional seven health boards and advisory committees are consolidated into one advisory committee.  The Traffic Safety Commission is abolished and its duties are transferred to the Washington State Patrol.  The total number of health boards, commission, and council members is reduced from 228 to 181. 

The Governor will review the necessity of all boards and commissions and submit legislation that consolidates or abolishes those that do not meet a specified criteria.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 45 3 (Senate amended)

First Special Session

House  90 0

Senate 43 0 (Senate amended)

House  93 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 1994

Partial Veto Summary: The sections that abolished the Traffic Safety Commission and transferred the duties and funds of the commission to the Washington State Patrol were vetoed by the Governor.  The Traffic Safety Commission is not abolished.