HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6341
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 House Committee On:
General Government Appropriations
Title: An act relating to transferring food assistance programs to the department of agriculture.
Brief Description: Transferring food assistance programs to the department of agriculture.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Haugen, Schoesler, Prentice, Shin and Fairley).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
General Government Appropriations: 2/23/10 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Darneille, Chair; Takko, Vice Chair; McCune, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Kenney, Klippert, Pedersen, Sells, Short and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Dunshee and Hudgins.
Staff: Owen Rowe (786-7391).
Background:
The Department of Commerce (DCOM) administers the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) that provides fiscal and administrative support to food banks. The EFAP provides funding for 320 food banks and distribution centers to pay for staff, operational expenses, equipment, and food, as well as funding for 32 tribes to issue emergency food vouchers and food bank services.
The Department of General Administration (GA) manages the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The TEFAP is a federal food program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); the TEFAP provides food and operational funding to 21 lead agencies through the GA. These lead agencies serve 450 food banks, shelters, and meal providers in Washington. The CSFP is a USDA program that provides food designated specifically for the nutritional needs of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age.
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Summary of Bill:
The EFAP is transferred from the DCOM and the TEFAP, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program is transferred from the GA to the Washington Department of Agriculture. The effective date of the transfer of programs is July 1, 2010.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2010.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is identical to the bill that passed this committee and the House floor. The Department of Agriculture has a commitment to connect this excellent service with food program clients and agricultural producers. By combining two separate agency programs into one, the Department should be able to gain some efficiencies in the emergency food programs. Please support this bill, there will be a race to see whether the House or Senate version reaches the Governor for her signature.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Dan Newhouse, Department of Agriculture; and Mike Moran, Second Harvest.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.