HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5429

             As Reported By House Committee On:

             Financial Institutions & Insurance

Title:  An act relating to authorizing the insurance commissioner to designate a deputy to act on behalf of the commissioner.

Brief Description:  Authorizing a deputy to vote on behalf of the insurance commissioner.

Sponsors:  Senator Haugen; by request of Insurance Commissioner.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Financial Institutions & Insurance:  3/22/95, 3/27/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives L. Thomas, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Wolfe, Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Dellwo; Huff; Kessler; Ogden and Pelesky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Beeksma, Vice Chairman; Dyer and Mielke.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:  The Washington Health Care Facilities Authority is a public body authorized to issue bonds to finance health care facilities.  It is composed of the Governor, the lieutenant governor, the insurance commissioner, the secretary of health, and a member of the public.  The Governor may designate an employee of the governor's office to act on her or his behalf during meetings of the authority.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The state officials who are members of the Washington Health Care Facilities Authority may designate an employee to act on or his or her behalf during meetings of the authority.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment allows all four public members of the authority to designate a person to attend a meeting of the authority when the member cannot; the bill allowed the insurance commissioner to appoint a designee (the Governor already has the authority to name a designee).

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will ensure 100 percent participation on the board by the insurance commissioner.  It will also make it easier to have a quorum.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mary Clogston, Office of the Insurance Commissioner (pro).