FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 5995

C 560 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties.

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

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

House Committee on Ways & Means

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:

• The intent of the Legislature is to identify criteria to evaluate advisory boards, committees, and commissions that may be eliminated or consolidated.

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

• The following boards, commissions, and committees are eliminated:

  • The Acupuncture Ad Hoc Committee;

  • Adult Family Home Advisory Committee;

  • Boarding Home Advisory Committee;

  • 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.

Votes on Final Passage: