Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

 ANALYSIS

Education Committee

 

 

HB 1434

Brief Description: Creating a task force to study the housing needs of nonsupervisory education employees.

 

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson, Shabro, Nixon, Pflug, Talcott, Tom, Jarrett and Cairnes.


Brief Summary of Bill

    Creates the Education Housing Task Force.

    Commissions a study on the impact of housing costs on school employees.

    Requires a report to the Legislature and Governor.


Hearing Date: 2/3/03


Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).


Background:


In 2000, the Legislature directed the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to conduct a review of K-12 regional cost-of-living differences and methods to determine those differences. The OFM review analyzed available measures of cost of living, examined methods for simulating a cost-of-living adjustment by district, and discussed housing allowance implementation issues and other options. The study did not offer a preferred option or consider all of the fiscal and policy implications of a cost-of-living allowance for school employees.


In 2001, the Committee heard HB 1862 and HB 1688, both of which addressed teachers' housing costs. HB 1862 required districts to provide a housing allowance if the district cost of housing exceeded the statewide median cost. HB 1699 required the Washington Institute for Public Policy to consult with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and make recommendations for salary supplements to certificated instructional staff for the purpose of reducing disparities in purchasing power across the state.




Summary of Bill:


The Education Housing Task Force is created for the purpose of identifying and recommending options for providing housing allowances or otherwise meeting the housing needs of non-supervisory education employees.


The task force will consist of seven members as follows:

One member appointed by the Governor;

One member appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

Two members from the House Education Committee, one from each caucus, and both appointed by the Speaker of the House;

Two members from the Senate Education Committee, one from each caucus, and both appointed by the President of the Senate;

One nonvoting chair selected by the other members of the task force.


The study will commence in August 2003. Staff support will be provided by the supervisor and staff of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.


The task force is directed to consider 12 specific questions but also may deliberate on other inquiries, and will report back to the Legislature and the Governor by October 2004.



Appropriation: None.


Fiscal Note: Received on 2/5/03.


Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.