SENATE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6760
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 Amended by House, March 7, 2008
Title: An act relating to the developmental disabilities community trust account.
Brief Description: Concerning the developmental disabilities trust account.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Roach and Fairley).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/6/08, 2/12/08 [DPS, w/oRec].
Passed Senate: 2/18/08, 46-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6760 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Rockefeller and Tom.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Roach and Schoesler.
Staff: Brian Sims (786-7431)
Background: The developmental disabilities community trust account, known as the Dan Thompson memorial trust account, was established in 2005. The account was to receive proceeds from alternative use of excess property at Lakeland Village and Rainier School, two of the five residential habilitation centers (RHCs) operated by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Interest on the account can be spent on community-based services for people with developmental disabilities. Lands at Fircrest School are partly owned by DSHS and partly owed by the Charitable, Educational, Penal, Reformatory Institutions trust (CEPRI) managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: Proceeds from excess property at the remaining RHCs (Fircrest School, Yakima Valley School, and Francis Hadden Morgan Center) may also be deposited into the account. Lease payments for use of surplus land may also be spent on community-based services for people with developmental disabilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The bill captures an unneeded
asset and puts it to use for the original intended purpose, to support people with developmental
disabilities. This will help fund family support. This is a simple way to help people with no
services. The trust is a great safety net for families, and help people transfer to independent
living.
CON: This injects another stakeholder into the Fircrest master plan process. The bill is
premature. The bill doesn't include language to protect the Food Lifeline facility.
Persons Testifying: PRO: David Maltman, Developmental Disabilities Council; Stacy Gillett;
Margaret Lee Thompson, King County Parent Coalition; Shawn Latham, Self Advocacy in
Leadership.
CON: Jim Hardman, Friends of Fircrest; Linda Nageotte, Food Lifeline.
House Amendment(s): Removes Fircrest School from the bill, leaving only the remaining four RHCs, and clarifies that only proceeds from excess land are deposited into the trust account.