Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 2151

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.

Background:

In 1977 the Legislature directed the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to compile, and revise within 90 days after the beginning of each biennium, a list of all permanent and temporary, statutory and non-statutory boards, commissions, councils, committees, and other groups established by the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of state government and whose members are eligible to receive travel expenses for their meetings. For each board and commission, the OFM list must provide information about the legal authorization for creation of the group; the number of members and the appointing authority; the number of meetings in the previous biennium; a summary of the group’s primary responsibilities; and the source of funding for the group.

In 1987 the Legislature directed the OFM to prepare sunrise notes concerning the creation of new boards and commissions. The sunrise notes must include: purpose and expected impact; powers and duties; potential duplications; and other relevant information related to the need for the board or commission.

The Legislature revisited boards and commissions more generally in 1994, establishing new oversight roles for the Governor and the OFM. For existing boards and commissions, the Governor must review and submit to the Legislature every odd-numbered year a report recommending which boards and commissions should be terminated or consolidated.

Summary of Bill:

Sixty-three boards, committees, or councils are eliminated. Where appropriate, duties are transferred to the agency that the board, committee, or council advises. All tangible property in the possession of a terminated entity are transferred to the custody of the entity assuming the responsibilities. If the responsibilities of a terminated entity are also terminated, documents and papers shall be delivered to the state archivist, and equipment or other tangible property to the Department of General Administration. Any contractual rights and duties of the eliminated board, committee, or council are assigned to the entity assuming the responsibilities.