SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5199

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 22, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the elimination and consolidation of boards and commissions.

Brief Description:  Eliminating and consolidating boards and commissions.

Sponsors:  Senators Quigley, Winsley, Haugen, Snyder, Sheldon, McAuliffe, Franklin and Drew; by request of Governor Lowry.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/1/95, 2/22/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5199 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The Governor has the responsibility to conduct a biennial review of the boards, commissions, councils and committees of state government.  This review results in recommended legislation every odd-numbered year.

The recommendations are made based on specific criteria for the termination or consolidation of these boards and other entities.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A total of 46 boards, councils, commissions and committees is affected as follows:  31 are eliminated outright; 14 are consolidated into four merged boards; and one is reconfigured.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Escrow Commission, Collection Agency Board, Funeral Directors and Embalmers Board, and Cemetery Board are removed from the bill.

The number of members on the Transportation Improvement Board is reduced to 21.  Changes are made in how funds are allocated from the high capacity transportation account.

The Cosmetology Board was abolished in the original bill, with its functions to be performed by an ad hoc advisory committee.  The substitute bill abolishes the board in two years and, in the interim, charges it with recommending reforming or restructuring the regulation of the profession, if appropriate.  The board's membership is expanded from five to seven.  The segments of the profession which receive specific representation on the board are more specifically defined.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This is a good government bill which cleans up the statutes by eliminating nonfunctioning boards and consolidating others.

Testimony Against:  Some boards are serving a purpose and are doing a good job.  Their functions should be continued.

Testified:  Mike Collins, DOL Business & Professional Division (pro); Tamara Warnke, Ted Grimes, Dennis Daugs, Escrow Association of WA (con); Jim Noel, WA State Funeral Directors (con); Cyreis Schmitt, Gene Cross, Everett Plaza Beauty School; Mark Gjurasic, Bonita McConnell, Frank Lamb, WA Collectors Association (con); Stan Finkelstein, AWC (pro); Lois Anderson, WSDOT (pro).