SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1131

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, March 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Modifying the powers of public hospital districts.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Mulliken, Dunshee, Edwards, G. Chandler, DeBolt, Dunn and Hatfield.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/19/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  Public hospital districts are created to own and operate hospitals and other health care facilities for the residents of the district.  There are approximately 50 public hospital districts in 29 counties.  Public hospital districts must prepare a proposed budget for the ensuing year and file that budget with the district=s commission on or before the first Monday in September of each year.  Notice of the filing and a hearing date must be published for at least two consecutive weeks in newspapers within the county.  On the first Monday in October, the commission must hold a public hearing on the budget, and by resolution adopt the budget and fix the final expenditures for the ensuing year.

Summary of Bill:  The date public hospital districts must submit their budget is changed from the first Monday in September to November 1.  Publication requirements are clarified to say that notice of filing and hearing date must be published at least once each week for two consecutive weeks.  The first Monday in October hearing date is changed to on or before November 15.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Medicare is a large amount of a hospital=s budget and this will allow the hospitals more time to receive information on forthcoming federal funds.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Taya Briley, Assn. of WA Public Hospital Districts (pro).