FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5255

                          C 280 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing Washington Conservation Corps provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Rasmussen and Finkbeiner; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  Established in 1983, the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) employs unemployed residents who are between 18 and 25 years old.  It is intended to provide them with a meaningful work experience and is administered by six state agencies.  Due to a sunset provision, the program is scheduled to expire on June 30, 1999.  It is believed that continuation of the program, along with some expansion and updating, would be beneficial.

Summary:  The sunset provisions affecting the WCC are repealed.  A number of modernizing changes are made, including changed agency names.  The WCC definition of distressed county is replaced by that used in RCW 43.168.020.  It allows for optional raises for corps members and up to two years of membership, rather than one.  The Department of Agriculture is removed from the program.  Spending authority is clarified so that at least 80 percent of program funds must be spent on members= salaries, benefits, and supervision.  Some support costs are likewise limited.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 43 0

House     94 2 (House amended)

Senate    49 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  May 13, 1999