HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2866

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Limiting use of facilities outside the boundaries of public hospital districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer, Skinner and Backlund.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/3/98 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Anderson; Parlette; Sherstad; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Conway.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Background:  Public hospital districts are special taxing districts created in 1945 to meet the growing hospital needs of their community.  These districts have broad powers to Aconstruct, condemn, purchase, acquire, lease, add to, maintain, operate, develop and regulate, and sell@ properties under their operation.

Present law does not limit the use of their facilities to health related purposes.  Proponents of this measure feel that district facilities and resources may be used inappropriately.

Summary of Bill:  Limits the use of leases for health care-related purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  (Concerns) This measure may have unintended major negative consequences.

Testified:  Lisa Thatcher, Washington Public Hospital Districts (concerns).