SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5995

As of March 5, 2009

Title: An act relating to eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties effective June 30, 2009.

Brief Description: Eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties effective June 30, 2009.

Sponsors: Senators Pridemore, Schoesler and Honeyford; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/23/09.

Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)

Background: Boards, commissions, councils, and advisory committees (boards) fill a variety of roles. For example, some are responsible for licensing various activities, while others advise state agencies in matters ranging from procedure to technology. Often boards are created as a requirement for a federal grant. Some boards receive staff support from an agency. Members of some boards receive travel compensation and reimbursement from an agency.

Boards can be created in four ways:

1. by general statute giving an agency authority to create a board for one or more purposes;

2. by specific statute naming the board as well as its purpose, powers, and duties;

3. by executive order of the Governor; or

4. by order of the Supreme Court.

On December 16, 2008, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) released the revised version of a report entitled "Review of Boards and Commissions: Pre-Audit." The JLARC report identified 470 boards and commissions currently operating, or not known to have been disbanded.

By January 8 of every odd-numbered year, the Governor must submit to the Legislature a report recommending which boards and commissions should be terminated or consolidated. The report must include executive request legislation implementing the recommendations of the report.

Summary of Bill: The following boards and commission are eliminated:

• Acupuncture Ad Hoc Committee;

• Displaced Homemaker Program Statewide Advisory Committee;

• Adult Family Home Advisory Committee;

• Boarding Home Advisory Board;

• Citizens Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction;

• Citizens' Work Group on Health Care Reform;

• Escrow Commission;

• Expert Panel on Infection Control;

• Family Policy Council;

• Firearms Range Advisory Committee;

• Model Toxic Control Act Science Advisory Board;

• Mortgage Brokers;

• Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board;

• Oil Heat Advisory Committee;

• Performance Audit Citizen Advisory Board;

• Prescription Drug Purchasing Consortium Advisory Committee;

• Risk Management Advisory Committee;

• Securities Advisory Committee;

• Radiologic Technologists Ad Hoc Committee;

• Interagency Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee;

• Pesticide Advisory Board;

• Pesticide Incident Reporting and Tracking Review Panel;

• Oil Spill Advisory Council;

• Main Street Advisory Committee;

• Ferry Advisory Committee;

• Foster Care Endowed Scholarship Advisory Board;

• Higher Education Coordinating Board – Work Study;

• Title and Registration Advisory Committee;

• Sexual Offender Treatment Providers Advisory Committee; and

• Vendor Rates Advisory Committee.

The Council for Children and Families is eliminated. Disbursement of funds from the Children's Trust Fund may only be authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services or the Secretary's designee.

The Driver Instructor's Advisory Committee is eliminated and the duties transferred to the Department of Licensing.

The Parks Centennial Advisory Committee is eliminated on June 30, 2009.

The Commute Trip Reduction Board is eliminated, and the duties transferred to the Department of Transportation. The director of the Department of General Administration must develop policies and guidelines that promote consistency in commute trip reduction, and may no longer coordinate an interagency board for that purpose.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on June 30, 2009.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is a part of the Governor's government reform approach. There are multiple approaches moving forward during the session. The discussion has proven valuable and we look forward to finding consensus.

CON: Please keep the Council on Children and Families. Evidence-based visiting is one of the most effective programs. New federal legislation needs this group. Please keep the Family Policy Council and the community networks. The community networks provide unique services for their communities. The Ferry Advisory Committee does not cost anything, and there will be more cost without it. Please keep the Athletic Training Advisory Committee. Please keep the Expert Panel on Infection Control. The Escrow Commission advises the Department of Financial Institutions on many things, such as the licensing exam. They also assist with audits and investigations. The commission is currently meeting by conference call. Blanket elimination is not prudent. The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board is revenue-neutral. This is the best motorcycle safety and education group in the country and saves many lives. The members of the Citizens Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction are volunteers. There is a federal block grant that requires yearly independent peer review. Expenses for this group were less than $10,000 for travel and time. Go ahead and eliminated the Pesticide Incident Reporting and Tracking Panel.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Robin Arnold-Williams, Governor's Office.

CON: Heather Hanson, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests; Teresa Mosqueda, Childrens Alliance; Mary Ann Murphy, Partners with Families and Children; Linda Clark, Family Education and Support Services; Janet Maxwell, Clark County Community Network; Kristin Rogers, Nurse-Family Partnership; Alan Mendel, Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC); Walt Elliot, Executive Council of FAC; Elizabeth Haeck, Cowlitz Community Network; Tammy Putvin, Labyrinth Living Private Counseling; Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association; Tamara Warnke, Escrow Association of Washington; Larry Walker, Washington Road Riders Association; Dennis Daugs, Seatac Escrow; Phillip Gonzalest, CAE.