| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
HB 2003
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Implementing a pilot program for the business enterprises program.
Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Hunt, Morrell and Ormsby.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/21/07
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides a variety of programs to blind and
visually impaired persons. The purpose of the DSB is to help people who are
blind or visually impaired to become employed or retain employment and to live
independently in their communities.
One of the programs offered by the DSB is the Business Enterprises Program (BEP). The
BEP trains and licenses legally blind people to manage snack/gift shops, espresso stands, and
food service facilities in public buildings. The BEP ensures that applicants receive training to
operate and manage a restaurant, provides the essential pieces of food service equipment, and
provides ongoing management assistance to blind vendors. The BEP is self-supporting and is not
funded by state or federal dollars.
The DSB has the first and primary right to operate vending facilities on state, federal, county,
municipal and other government property. The DSB may waive this right if it is unable to
operate a vending facility in a given location.
Summary of Bill:
The DSB shall implement a pilot program within existing resources. The pilot program requires
a legally blind person, in cooperation with the DSB, to subcontract with a full-service
commercial food service establishment in the Pritchard building.
The DSB selects the commercial food services establishment from a list of bids submitted by
interested establishments and enters into a 3-year contract with the successful bidder. The DSB
must submit an electronic report on the pilot program to the appropriate legislative committees
18 months after the beginning of the pilot program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.