HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5472

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to state caseload forecasts.

Brief Description:  Creating the caseload forecast council.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators West, Spanel, McDonald, Kohl, Long, Sheldon, Strannigan, Oke and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  4/5/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 30 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Alexander, Vice Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Wensman, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gombosky, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson; Carlson; Chopp; Cody; Cooke; Crouse; Dyer; Grant; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McMorris; Parlette; Regala; D. Schmidt; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott and Tokuda.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Poulsen.

Staff:  Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:  The Office of Financial Management (OFM), in cooperation with other state agencies, prepares caseload forecasts for state social programs, corrections, medical assistance, long-term care, income assistance, and the common school system.  These forecasts are used by the Governor, executive staff, and the Legislature to develop budget proposals.

In addition, OFM annually prepares state and local population estimates and higher education enrollment forecasts. 

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council consists of representatives from each of the four legislative caucuses and two representatives of the Governor.  The council employs a forecast supervisor and staff who prepare an economic and revenue forecast four times per year.

Summary of Bill:  A new Caseload Forecast Council is created, composed of representatives of each of the four legislative caucuses and two representatives of the Governor. 

The council will employ a supervisor and staff to perform caseload forecasts of state entitlement programs, including public assistance programs, state corrections institutions, institutions for juvenile offenders, the common school system, long-term care, medical assistance, foster care, and adoption support.  The council shall prepare three forecasts per year on dates determined by the council that will facilitate the development of budget proposals by the Governor and the Legislature.  The official caseload forecast shall be the basis for the Governor=s budget document and used by the Legislature in developing budget proposals.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1997.

Testimony For:  The Washington Roundtable supports the bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Greg Pierce, Washington Roundtable.