HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5148

BYSenators Halsan, Zimmerman, Rasmussen, Newhouse, Garrett, Pullen, Conner, Bauer, McCaslin, DeJarnatt, McDonald, Bluechel, Kreidler, Nelson, Tanner, Stratton, Wojahn, Barr, Lee, Gaspard, von Reichbauer, Moore, Cantu and Deccio; by request of Department of Services for the Blind

Continuing the department of services for the blind.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Baugher, Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Taylor and Walk.

House Staff:Pam Madson (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 7, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Services for the Blind was created in 1983 from the former Commission for the Blind, following a sunset review.  The enabling legislation scheduled the department for another sunset review, with a termination date of June 30, 1987.

In a November 1986 sunset report, both the Legislative Budget Committee and the Office of Financial Management recommended that the department be continued indefinitely.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Services for the Blind is continued indefinitely.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Paul Dziedzic, Department of Services for the Blind.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The LBC sunset review recognized the outstanding performance of the Department of Services for the Blind.  The department has continued to improve its services since it was established in 1983.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.