SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1324

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Hankins and H. Sommers) 

Providing for sunset review and termination dates.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1988; February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Hansen, McMullen, Smitherman, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Jean Six (786-7423)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

During the 1985, 1986, and 1987 legislative sessions, a large number of statutory boards, commissions, advisory committees, and task forces were created.  In many cases, the statutes creating these entities scheduled automatic termination or sunset review dates.  However, in a number of cases, termination or sunset review dates were not established and, as a result, the newly created entities will continue to exist as statutory committees for an indefinite period of time.

The following entities were created during the last three legislative sessions and no termination or sunset review dates were established:

Joint Center for Higher Education - Spokane's Joint Center for Higher Education was created in January 1986 to coordinate several activities of Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and other public and private institutions of higher education in eastern Washington.

Low-Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee - The director of the Department of Community Development is required to appoint the Low-Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee to advise the director on housing needs in Washington, grants and loans from the Housing Trust Fund, and policy regarding low-income housing (effective January 1988).

Broker's Trust Account Board - This board reviews and gives final approval to loan and grant applications for funding from the Housing Trust Fund and advises the Real Estate Commission on licensee education programs (effective January 1988).  Six members of the board are appointed by the governor and one member is appointed by the Real Estate Commission.

Governor's School Drop Out Prevention Task Force - The task force has the responsibility of increasing public awareness of drop outs and encouraging new strategies to keep youth in school (effective July 1987).  The task force is appointed jointly by governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Substance Abuse Advisory Committee - The committee advises the Superintendent of Public Instruction on substance abuse programs (effective July 1987).  The committee is appointed by the superintendent.

Displaced Homemaker Advisory Committee - The committee assists in the administration of the Displaced Homemakers Program through the Higher Education Coordinating Board (effective July 1987).  Up to 22 members may be appointed by the executive director of the board.

Disability Accommodation Advisory Review Board - This board establishes criteria for use of the new Disability Accommodation Revolving Fund and approves disbursements from the fund (effective July 1987).  The board is appointed by the director of Personnel.

Advisory Committee on International Education - The committee advises the Superintendent of Public Instruction on international education issues (effective July 1987).  The committee is appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Working Committee on International Education - This committee develops international education model curriculum guidelines (effective July 1987).  The committee is appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

SUMMARY:

The following entities are scheduled for termination on the dates shown:

            oGovernor's School Drop Out Prevention Task Force - June 30, 1989

            oSubstance Abuse Advisory Committee - June 30, 1992

            oDisplaced Homemaker Advisory Committee - June 30, 1997

            oDisability Accommodation Advisory Review Board - June 30, 1989

            oAdvisory Committee on International Education - June 30, 1991

            o Working Committee on International Education - June 30, 1989

The following entities are scheduled for sunset review and possible termination on the dates shown:

            oJoint Center for Higher Education and its powers and duties - June 30, 1991 (with repealers June 30, 1992)

            oLow Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee and its powers and duties - June 30, 1996

            oBroker's Trust Account Board and its powers and duties - June 30, 1996 (with repealers June 30, 1997)

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The amendment removes the Joint Center for Higher Education from the Sunset Review calendar.  The amendment also removes the termination date for the Displaced Homemaker Advisory Committee.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:Various sections of the bill take effect on different dates.  See Summary.

Senate Committee - Testified: Shirley Ort, HECB; Pat Thibaudeau