SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6384

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Increasing the number of county hospital trustees from thirteen to seventeen.

SPONSORS: 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:

Four more trustees shall be appointed by the county legislative authority for hospitals already in existence on the effective date of this act.  The initial terms for the new trustees shall be staggered until their successors are appointed.  This brings the total number of trustees to 17.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The original language of the statutes, providing for 13 trustees appointed by the county legislative authority, is restored 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