SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESHB 2676

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 22, 1994

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

SPONSORS: 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

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland and Owen.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1994; February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In the 1991-93 biennium, the state had 569 operating boards and commissions.  The Office of Financial Management (OFM) 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:

A total of 30 general government boards, councils and commissions are abolished.  A total of 19 health boards and commissions are consolidated into six quality-assurance commissions or councils.  In all, 49 boards and commissions are affected by either elimination or consolidation.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

A technical error is corrected in nomenclature for the osteopathic board.

The Uniform Disciplinary Act is amended to require the board member responsible for initiating disciplinary action to meet with the accused health care professional, either in person or by telephone.

Included in the definition of acupuncture is the giving of dietary advice based on oriental medical theory when given in conjunction with certain enumerated therapeutic techniques.  The list of procedures which are considered to be the practice of acupuncture is made definitive.  Acupuncturists are changed from a certified profession to a licensed profession, and practice by anyone not licensed is prohibited.

A new health care profession is created called "certified athletic trainers."  Qualifications and scope of practice are defined with all rule-making, credentialing and examining authority residing in the secretary.  The profession is defined as a sports injury specialist who practices under the direction of an authorized health care professional.  Disciplinary proceedings are conducted under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  Certification offers qualifying applicants the exclusive use of the title "certified," but does not restrict others from practicing.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  July 1, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

The changes made by the bill only put it one third of the way back to 1991 levels of boards and commissions.  More money will be saved than the fiscal notes reflect.  The entities were chosen for abolishment based on need for them under current law, duplication, activity and ability to accomplish their ends in an ad hoc rather than permanent status.  Communication and efficiency are improved.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The Ecological Commission is the only civilian oversight of the Department of Ecology.  It has worked by influencing the process.  The members are knowledgeable with a majority being public citizens.

TESTIFIED:  Susan Watanabe, ARNPs United (pro without amend.); Sylviann Frankus, Mt. Rainier Chapter, Puget Sound Chapter, American Assn. of Critical Care Nurses (pro); Jeff Larsen, WA Osteopathic Medical Assn., WA Academy of Physician Assistants; WA State Dental Hygienists Assn., WA Society of Ocularists, WA Society of Respiratory Care Therapists, WA Society of Radiol. Tech., WA Assn. of Naturopathic Physicians (pro); Ann Simons, WA Assn. for Marriage and Family Therapists (pro); Ann Aagaard, WA State Ecological Commission, League of Women Voters; Mary Moller, ARNPs United (pro without amend.)