VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2676-S

                   April 6, 1994

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 878 through 903, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2676, entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the restructuring of boards, committees, commissions, and councils;"

     Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2676 eliminates and consolidates 49 boards and commissions. Sections 878 through 903 of the bill would abolish the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and transfer its functions to the Washington State Patrol. While I generally favor consolidating small single purpose commissions into larger agencies for efficiency purposes, I am not convinced this particular merger is advisable at this time.

     Any merger of these functions should consider alternatives that balance opportunities for more efficient administration of grant funds, fair and equitable grant distribution, program effectiveness, and active involvement and support of the traffic safety community. To ensure that these factors are evaluated in any future decision regarding the location of traffic safety functions, I have directed the Office of Financial Management to work with the Traffic Safety Commission, the legislature, and the traffic safety community to review organizational alternatives for traffic safety functions. This review will be conducted as part of our overall evaluation of boards and commissions required by sections 872 through 876 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2676.

     With the exception of sections 878 through 903, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2676 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor