S-4607.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6687

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Schow, Hargrove, Long, Zarelli and Strannigan

Read first time 01/24/96.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Ordering the legislative budget committee to perform a study of class II tax reduction industries.

    AN ACT Relating to study of class II tax reduction industries; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that offering inmates meaningful work and vocational training opportunities through the correctional industries program must not be done without due regard to the program's costs to the taxpayers of the state.  The legislature intends that all class II industries be established and operated in a manner that will reduce the tax burden of corrections and save taxpayers money through the cost-efficient production of goods and services for sale and use.

    (2) The legislative budget committee shall perform a study of class II -- tax reduction industries operated by the department of corrections.  This study shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the extent to which class II industries manage costs and  are self-supporting; the adequacy of marketing efforts; and the extent of utilization and training of inmates.  As appropriate, the study shall make recommendations for improving the profitability of class II industries and for utilization of more inmates in class II jobs.  The legislative budget committee shall make a report of its findings to the legislature by January 1, 1997.

    (3) This section expires July 1, 1997.

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