SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6384
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1994
Brief Description: Modifying regulations pertaining to county hospital boards.
SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Drew and Roach)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6384 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, McCaslin, Oke, Owen and Winsley.
Staff: Diane Smith (786‑7410)
Hearing Dates: February 1, 1994; February 4, 1994
BACKGROUND:
Counties have the authority to establish hospitals. If they do cause a hospital to be built, within 30 days after the building is completed and ready for operation, the county legislative authority shall appoint 13 trustees, staggering their terms until their successors are appointed for four-year terms.
SUMMARY:
The county legislative authority appoints 13 trustees for county hospitals created after the act's effective date.
For the hospital already established prior to the effective date of this act, in class AA counties, the Governor shall appoint three trustees, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The county legislative authority shall appoint 16, for a total of 19 trustees.
Obsolete language referring to institutions already in existence on June 7, 1984, is stricken.
The Governor's appointees shall also have staggered terms.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
The bill reflects the increase of the King County Council by four members. Harborview Hospital is the only county hospital in the state and is under the control of the King County Council. Executive representation in the appointment of hospital trustees is suggested to be appropriate because Harborview is a teaching hospital operated by the University of Washington and is also the trauma center for the entire state.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Ron Main; Senator West