SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1998-8733

By Senators Zarelli and McDonald

     WHEREAS, The legislature passes measures for the benefit of citizens that are implemented by state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, Much of this legislation affects the lives of citizens of the state, particularly actions taken by social service agencies that relate to families and family relationships; and

     WHEREAS, Implementation by state agencies often occurs without guidance and input from legislators, the elected representatives of the citizenry of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Legislators often become aware of situations where constituents and others complain that agency action has been frustrating, contrary to legislative policy and counterproductive; and

     WHEREAS, No committee of the Senate is specifically charged with reviewing and investigating complaints that legislative goals and intent were not carried out in specific situations involving individuals or groups; and

     WHEREAS, The citizens of Washington State, who are the final arbiters of decisions made by their government, have a need for a forum for expressing concerns to the Senate about the programs and services provided by their state agencies to ensure that these agencies remain accountable and responsive to the governed; and

     WHEREAS, Citizens, agencies and the Senate would have more information if a committee were established to review agency actions and report to the interested standing committees;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington does hereby establish a select committee to review the actions of public agencies called the Senate Select Committee on Family Services Oversight; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate Select Committee on Family Services Oversight shall be made up of five members of the Senate, three from the majority caucus and two from the minority caucus and appointed by the President of the Senate and shall use existing Senate staff; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate Select Committee on Family Services Oversight shall terminate and submit a final report to the appropriate committees of the Senate on December 31, 1999, and shall make any interim reports to the appropriate committees at its sole discretion.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1998-8733,

adopted by the Senate March 12, 1998.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate