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.

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Summary of Amended Bill:

The following boards are eliminated effective June 30, 2009:

Acupuncture Ad Hoc Committee;

Adult Family Home Advisory Committee;

Advisory Council on Adult Education;

Airport Impact Mitigation Advisory Board;

Boarding Home Advisory Board;

Citizens' Work Group on Health Care Reform;

Displaced Homemaker Program Statewide Advisory Committee;

Firearms Range Advisory Committee;

Foster Care Endowed Scholarship Advisory Board;

Higher Education Coordinating Board Work Study Advisory Committee;

Model Toxics Control Act Science Advisory Board;

Oil Heat Advisory Committee;

Organized Crime Advisory Board;

Oversight Committee on Character-Building Residential Services in Prisons;

Parks Centennial Advisory Committee;

Pesticide Advisory Board;

Pest Management Coordinating Committee;

Prescription Drug Purchasing Consortium Advisory Commission;

Radiologic Technologists Ad Hoc Committee;

Risk Management Advisory Committee;

Securities Advisory Committee;

Sexual Offender Treatment Providers Advisory Committee;

Special License Plate Review Board; and

Vendor Rates Advisory Committee.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

All sections of the bill are deleted that eliminate or suspend boards, commissions, and committees except the sections eliminating: the Acupuncture Ad Hoc Committee; Adult Family Home Advisory Committee; Boarding Home Advisory Board; Citizens' Work Group on Health Care Reform; Displaced Homemaker Program Statewide Advisory Committee; Foster Care Endowed Scholarship Advisory Board; Higher Education Coordinating Board Work Study Advisory Committee; Model Toxics Control Act Science Advisory Board; Oil Heat Advisory Committee; Organized Crime Advisory Board; Oversight Committee on Character-Building Residential Services in Prisons; Parks Centennial Advisory Committee; Prescription Drug Purchasing Consortium Advisory Commission; Radiologic Technologists Ad Hoc Committee; Risk Management Advisory Committee; Securities Advisory Committee; Sexual Offender Treatment Providers Advisory Committee; and Vendor Rates Advisory Committee.

The amended bill adds the following boards and commissions to be eliminated: Firearms Range Advisory Committee; Pesticide Advisory Board; Pest Management Coordinating Committee; Advisory Council on Adult Education; and Special License Plate Review Board.

The date of elimination for the Airport Impact Mitigation Advisory Board is changed to June 30, 2009.

The requirement that the Governor develop recommendations to the Legislature regarding the suspension and termination of other boards and commissions is removed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill represents the Governor's reform efforts. The Governor has eliminated 56 boards and commissions by executive order. The Governor is asking agencies to secure public input through other means using the technological tools available. The fiscal note captures the direct costs, but it does not reflect the administrative reductions that agencies are taking.

(With concerns) The Enhanced 911 Advisory Committee was not in the Governor's original proposal and should be removed from the bill. The Auto Theft Prevention Authority was appropriated money in the budget and should be removed from the bill. Section 176 of the bill regarding the Recreation on State Trust Lands Work Group should be removed as the statute sunsets in December 2009. The Children's Advisory Committee is scheduled to sunset in 2010 and should be removed from the bill. The Horse Park Authority was appropriated funds in the capital budget.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Robin Arnold-Williams, Office of the Governor.

(With concerns) Jo Arlow, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Jim Halstrom, Washington State Horse Park Authority; Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society; Heath Packard, Department of Natural Resources; and Mike Ryherd, Association Public Safety Officers.