HJM 4019 - H AMD 198

By Representative Boldt

On page 1, after line 7 strike everything and insert the following:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Due to federal legislative action by the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of United States, and the Senate and House of Representatives of United States, the nature of the federal public assistance system is undergoing the most dramatic change in the past sixty years; and

WHEREAS, Federal legislation requires that states be increasingly diligent concerning how public assistant monies are spent and compels states to ensure that those who are receiving public assistance are truly in need; and

WHEREAS, States will have the opportunity to design and administer income assistance programs that may be substantially and materially different from bordering states; and

WHEREAS, There is an increased need for better communications and coordination between bordering states regarding interstate public assistance policies; and

WHEREAS, There is concern that interstate public assistance fraud exists and that the recent changes in public assistance laws may increase the potential for this type of activity; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of the Washington State Legislature to appoint four members of the Legislature to a tristate committee dealing with interstate public assistance policies, to consist of one member each from the majority and minority caucuses of the house to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member each from the majority and minority caucuses of the senate to be appointed by the majority leader of the senate, for the purpose of meeting at least once prior to November 1, 1997;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that a tri-state committee dealing with interstate public assistance policies be established among the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington for the purposes of developing cooperative relationships aimed at creating effective strategies to deal with the issues surrounding interstate public assistance policies.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Philip E. Batt, Governor of the State of Idaho; The Honorable John Kitzhaber, Governor of the State of Oregon, the President of the Idaho State Senate; the President of the Oregon State Senate; the Speaker of the Idaho State House of Representatives; the Speaker of the Oregon State House of Representatives, and to the Idaho State Senate and House of Representatives and the Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives.