FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5472

                          C 168 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

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).

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  The Office of Financial Management (OFM), along with the Department of Social and Health Services and other state agencies, prepares caseload forecasts for state social programs, corrections, medical assistance, long-term care, income assistance and K-12.

In addition, OFM annually prepares population estimates for local governments for the allocation of revenues.  They prepare annual certifications of all annexations and new incorporations in Washington for the federal Bureau of the Census, and act as the official liaison to the federal Census Bureau.

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

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

The council employs a supervisor and staff to perform forecasts of state entitlement programs, correctional institutions, institutions for juvenile offenders, K-12, long-term care, medical assistance, foster care and adoption support.  The Caseload Forecast Council does not forecast state population and is not involved in population estimates.

These forecasts are to be made at least three times per year and coincide with the development of the Governor=s budget proposal and the legislative budget.

A workgroup consisting of staff from OFM, legislative committees, and state agencies is formed to facilitate a free flow of information concerning the forecast.  The workgroup is involved in the assumption setting process and has access to the models used for the forecasts.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     82 8

Effective:  July 1, 1997