HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1354

BYRepresentatives Pruitt, Sanders, Meyers, Dorn, Rasmussen, Lewis, Anderson, Basich, Heavey, Zellinsky and Cooper

Repealing the sunset of the department of veterans affairs.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Peery and Taylor.

House Staff:Ken Conte (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Veterans Affairs was created in 1976 when its functions and duties were transferred from the Department of Social and Health Services.  The Department currently employs 428 FTE's and operates on a budget of nearly $29 million for the 1987-89 biennium, two-thirds of which is from the state general fund.  The Director of Veterans Affairs is advised and assisted by the 15-member Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.

There are three primary programs carried out by the Department. The largest is the operation and maintenance of the two state veteran's homes in Retsil and Orting, capable of serving nearly 600 veterans or their dependents.  The Department's Field Services program advises and assists veterans in receiving their full benefits and entitlements, and secures readjustment counseling for veterans and their families.  Finally, the Guardianship program administers benefits for recipients incapable of acting on their own behalf.

The Legislative Budget Committee in its 1987 Sunset review report concluded that the need for most departmental services will increase, and recommended reestablishment of the Department and the Advisory Committee.

SUMMARY:

The sections of statute which provide for the termination of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Affairs Advisory Council on June 30, 1988 are repealed.

In addition, a study is to be done of the long term care needs of indigent veterans.  The study is to be conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, a committee of persons familiar with the issues who are appointed by the Department, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of Financial Management.

A report is to be submitted to the House State Government Committee, the Senate Governmental Operations Committee, and the Ways and Means Committees of the House and Senate no later than November 1, 1988.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Wes Pruitt, prime sponsor; Frank Hensley, Legislative Budget Committee; John Reynolds, Director of Department of Veterans Affairs; and Doris Gross, Chair, Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Legislative policy clearly supports the services provided by the Department and the Committee.  The number of veterans who will need these services in the future is likely to increase; it is important to analyze this population in order to provide appropriate services.  Communication and an on-going relationship with the population served is a key function of the Advisory Committee.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.