5649-S2 AMS ROCK MORR 001

2SSB 5649 - S AMD 95

By Senator Rockefeller

    On page 16, after line 32, strike all of section 302, and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 302. (1) The department of community, trade, and economic development and the Washington State University energy extension program shall review:

    (a) Low-income weatherization programs, as authorized under chapter 70.164 RCW, weatherization, weatherization services, and energy efficiency programs administered by the state;

    (b) The low-income energy assistance program funded by the federal government pursuant to the federal low-income energy assistance act (Title 42 U.S.C. 8623 et seq.);

    (c) Weatherization and energy efficiency programs funded by private entities, utilities, the federal government, and other entities; and

    (d) Administrative and overhead costs incurred by weatherization and energy efficiency programs.

    (2) By July 1, 2010, the department of community, trade, and economic development and the Washington State University energy extension program shall provide to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature a report with findings from the review required in subsection (1) of this section and recommendations for the coordination of the state's energy efficiency and weatherization programs, including the low- income energy assistance and low-income weatherization programs under chapter 70.164 RCW and the weatherization program created in section 102 of this act.

    (a) The recommendations must include:

    (i) Identification of best practices and opportunities to consolidate and create efficiencies and economies of scale;

    (ii) Identification of legislative action necessary to maximize the state's receipt of funding for weatherization and energy efficiency purposes; and

    (iii) Identification of methods to minimize costs through coordination and potential consolidation of programs.

    (b) If the report finds that administrative efficiencies may best be achieved by the transition of functions from one state agency or entity to another, then the recommendations must also include:

    (i) Identification of statutory changes necessary to ensure an expeditious and efficient transition with the least programmatic disruption; and

    (ii) A timeline for the process that includes methods to phase and synchronize the transition of administrative procedures, records, files, and staff in accordance with the goals and intent of this chapter.

EFFECT:   Removes the requirement that the report make recommendations on how the state's energy efficiency and weatherization programs must all be transferred to WSU.

Retains the requirement for WSU and CTED to review the state's energy efficiency and weatherization programs and make recommendations on energy efficiency and weatherization program coordination or consolidation within one state entity.

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