SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5156

As Passed Senate, February 14, 2003

Title: An act relating to the combined fund drive.

Brief Description: Describing the duties of the combined fund drive.

Sponsors: Senators Winsley, Fraser, Jacobsen and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/28/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/14/03, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Horn, Kastama, McCaslin and Reardon.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: The Washington Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is the organization within the Washington State government through which state employees and public agency retirees can make charitable donations to nonprofit organizations. The CFD is run by a governor-appointed committee responsible for setting policy and conducting the annual CFD campaign.

Summary of Bill: Powers and duties of the CFD are listed to include, but are not limited to, raising money for charity and reducing the disruption to government through multiple fund drives; establishing criteria for public or private nonprofit organizations to participate in the CFD; encouraging fund-raising activities; requesting the appointment of employees to lead workplace charitable giving campaigns; engaging in educational activities; accepting gifts and grants; and charging an administrative fee to oversee the program.

The CFD committee is authorized to enter into contracts and partnerships with private institutions, persons, firms or corporations for the benefit of the CFD.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The Combined Fund Drive is a great program that provides a lot of benefits to nonprofit organizations. The committee responsible for administering the Combined Fund Drive needs clarification about its authority to enter into partnerships and contracts with private organizations for the benefit of the program.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Karen Fraser, co-sponsor; Scott Turner, WA Dept. of Personnel; Randy Ryan, WA Dept. of Personnel; Brian Malarky, Executive Ethics Board.

House Amendment(s): The House amendment clarifies that the CFD Committee can be created by rule. The amendment states that activities of the CFD must not result in direct commercial solicitation of state employees, or a benefit or advantage that would violate state ethics laws. Statutes creating the CFD do not give state agencies the power to enter into contracts or partnerships unless otherwise authorized by law.