SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6429

              As Passed Senate, February 11, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the treasurer's trust fund.

Brief Description:  Allowing the children's trust fund to retain its proportionate share of earnings.

Sponsors:  Senators Long, Kline, Wojahn, Fairley, Winsley and Kohl; by request of Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/29/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/11/98, 42-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

Staff:  Fara Daun (786-7459)

Background:  The Children's Trust Fund is a depository for contributions, grants, and gifts to the Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (WCPCAN).  The Legislature established WCPCAN in 1982 under RCW 43.121.  The Legislature intended to increase abuse prevention programs in order to help reduce the breakdown in families.  A reduction in the breakdown in families was intended to reduce the need for state intervention in families and decrease state expense.

Until 1993, WCPCAN received the interest on the fund.  The interest is used to support local activities geared to raising public awareness of child abuse and neglect.  It is also used to support local community based prevention programs.

In 1993, legislation amended RCW 43.79 to move all trust fund interest to the general fund except for specified accounts.  The interest from the Children's Trust Fund was among those moved to the general fund.  This has resulted in an annual loss of $5000 to the Children's Trust Fund. 

WCPCAN has requested that the Legislature place the Children's Trust Fund on the list of accounts that receive a proportionate share of the interest on the fund in order to further support local public awareness activities and prevention programs.

Summary of Bill:  The Children's Trust Fund is placed on the list of accounts that receive a proportional share of the interest on the general fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  WCPCAN is very efficient with its finances.  While the interest on this fund represents a tiny portion of the general fund, it has a great impact on WCPCAN.  Not receiving the interest has caused WCPCAN to be passed over for some private funding.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified: Senator Long, prime sponsor (pro); Ruth Kagi, WCPCAN (pro); Kikora Dorsey, WCPCAN (pro); Marianne Connor (pro).