SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6218

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Commerce & Labor, January 26, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the review and termination of the center for international trade in forest products and the office of public defense under the Washington sunset act.

Brief Description:  Eliminating review and termination of the center for international trade in forest products and delaying review and termination of the office of public defense under the Washington sunset act.

Sponsors:  Senators West, Bauer, Stevens, Oke, Wojahn, Spanel and Loveland; by request of Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  1/26/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6218 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Anderson and Heavey.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

Background:   The Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) was  established in statute in 1985.  The center=s initial statutory responsibilities included research, developing industrial technology, coordinating information, and providing education in order to expand forest-based international trade.

CINTRAFOR currently has an annual budget of approximately $570,000 per year of which $103,000 are state funds.  The Joint Legislative Review and Audit Committee is requesting that the center be removed from the sunset process.

The Office of Public Defense is a state agency which administers funds to pay attorneys, court reporters, and court clerks in cases which are on appeal in the State Court of Appeals or the Washington Supreme Court.  The office provides funds for costs related to criminal cases, cases in which parental rights have been terminated, or instances where children have been taken out of the home.  The office contracts with private attorneys to provide these appellate services.

The Office of Public Defense was established in 1996 and has been in operation for less than two years.  The Joint Legislative Review and Audit Committee is requesting that the office=s current sunset termination date be extended from June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2008 in order to better evaluate its efficiency and effectiveness.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The current termination date of the Office of Public Defense is changed from June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2008.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provisions pertaining to the Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) are removed from the bill.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1998.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.