SB 6021

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6021

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.

As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 26, 2007

Title: An act relating to the consolidation and elimination of certain boards and commissions.

Brief Description: Consolidating and eliminating certain boards and commissions.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6021 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Kline, Pridemore and Swecker.

Background: The Governor is required by statute to review the boards, commissions, councils, and committees in state government each biennium. Her review is to determine which of these entities may be appropriate for elimination or consolidation. The results of this review are reported to the Legislature and executive request legislation incorporating these suggestions is proposed.

Summary of Bill: Seven boards and commissions are abolished. These are the Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee, Displaced Homemaker Program Advisory Committee, Health Professional Conditional Scholarship Program Planning Committee, Washington Scholars Planning Committee, State Work Study Program Board to Develop and Administer Program, Treatment for Alcoholism, Intoxication, and Drug Addiction Citizens Advisory Council, Emergency Medical Services Licensing and Certification Advisory Committee.

Removes the authority of the Secretary of Health to appoint members of the health care assistant profession to serve in an ad hoc capacity to advise on matters of health care identified by the Secretary.

Removes the requirement that the Governor review the boards, commissions, councils, and committees each biennium.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) must conduct a review of all the boards and commissions over a six-year period, and submit to the Legislature a report recommending which boards and commissions should be terminated or consolidated.

The report must state which of the criteria JLARC relied upon with respect to each recommendation.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Government Operations & Elections): The Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee and the Treatment for Alcoholism, Intoxication, and Drug Addiction Citizens Advisory Council are removed from the bill, the effect of which keeps both programs in existence.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: CON: The Treatment for Alcoholism, Intoxication, and Drug Addiction Citizens Advisory Council is a useful advisory committee, which performs functions required by federal grant and federal money and provides much of the resources for the work we do. There is an assumption that the Governor's staff would assume the functions currently performed by this council. The Governor's staff is not prepared to do this work and may not be qualified to do this type of work. While the bill does away with this council, the Governor's staff would be recreating the work of the council. The need does not go away just because the council does.

OTHER: The council does a great deal of outreach in our community. We have a great deal of experience with addiction, we know the community we serve, and we are only allowed to serve six-year terms. We were shocked to find out our council was on the chopping block. The Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee provides a valuable resource to the community. The Committee, formally known as the duck stamp action committee, has been around for 20 years. The committee members are dedicated conservationists who enhance revenue to support conservation programs. They are a valuable asset to the Fish and Wildlife agency, and we would like to keep them around.

Persons Testifying: CON: William Quick, doctor / Abuse Advisory Council.

OTHER: Sally Cassella, Gunthild Sondhi, Citizens Advisory Council; Steve Pazzanghera, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.