SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1382

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

Providing for sunset review and termination dates.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1988; February 22, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Zimmerman, Vice Chairman; Garrett, Halsan, Metcalf, Pullen.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 23, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 22, 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.

Some of the entities created during the last three legislative sessions for which no termination or sunset review dates exist include the following:

Ground Water Management Advisory Committees - These committees, established by geographic area, assist the Department of Ecology in the development of ground water management programs (effective May 1985).  Committees are appointed by the department.

Migratory Waterfowl Art Committee - The committee is responsible for selecting annual migratory waterfowl stamp designs, creating and selling collector art prints and related artwork, and reviewing Wildlife Department expenditures of receipts from stamps, prints, and artwork (effective May 1985).  The committee consists of nine members; one appointed by governor, six appointed by the director of Wildlife, one appointed by the chair of the State Arts Commission, and one appointed by the director of the Department of Agriculture.

Public Works Board - The Public Works Board awards low-interest loans to local governments for public works projects, pledges money to finance local public works, and provides a method for the allocation of loans or financing guarantees (effective June 1985).  The board consists of thirteen members appointed by the governor.

Washington State Development Loan Fund Committee - This committee approves applications from local governments for community development block grants for economic development projects (effective July 1985). The committee consists of seven members appointed by director of Department of Community Development.

Washington State Economic Development Board - The board is charged with establishing a long-term economic development strategy for the state (effective July 1985).  In addition, the board must revise the plan and report to the Legislature annually.  The board consists of 25 members, most of whom are appointed by governor.  Legislator members are appointed by their respective caucuses.

Committee to Study Water Supply Availability in the Columbia Basin area - This committee is to study the availability of water in the Columbia Basin and other Columbia Basin irrigation issues (effective April 1986).  Members are appointed by the director of Agriculture.

Department of Natural Resources Recreation Advisory Committee - The committee advises the Department of Natural Resources regarding outdoor recreation needs and the effect of proposed DNR actions on recreational opportunities (effective June 30, 1986).  The committee is established by DNR.

Land Bank Advisory Committee - This committee advises the Department of General Administration on the establishment of the Washington Land Bank and it submitted a progress report to the Legislature in January, 1987.  The committee consists of nine members.

State Fire Protection Policy Board - The board advises the Department of Community Development on fire service matters, nominates the Director of Fire Protection, adopts fire service plans, and performs numerous other functions (effective April 1986). The board consists of ten members appointed by the governor.

Wood Stove Advisory Committee - This committee assists the Department of Ecology in setting fees on sales of wood stoves, designing an education program and developing wood stove regulations (effective July 1987).  The committee is established by DOE.

Employee Ownership Advisory Panel - This panel assists the Department of Community Development in establishing an employee ownership program for cooperative corporations (effective July 1987).  Members are appointed by the director of the Department of Community Development.

Winter Recreation Commission - This commission promotes winter recreation (effective May 1987), and consists of thirteen members appointed by the Legislature and the governor.  Its predecessor committee of the same name went out of existence January 1, 1987.

SUMMARY:

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

            oGround Water Management Advisory Committees - June 30,1995

            oWashington State Development Loan Fund Committee - June 30,1994 (the Committee's duties are transferred to the Department of Community Development).

            oCommittee to Study Water Supply Availability in the Columbia Basin Area - June 30, 1994

            oDepartment of Natural Resources Recreation Advisory Committee - June 30, 1991

            oLand Bank Advisory Committee - June 30, 1988

            oWood Stove Advisory Committee - June 30, 1988

            oEmployee Ownership Advisory Panel - June 30, 1993

            oWinter Recreation Commission - June 30, 1994 (the Commission and its powers and duties are terminated).

SCHEDULED SUNSET REVIEW

The following entities and their powers and duties are scheduled for sunset review on the dates shown:

            oMigratory Waterfowl Art Committee - June 30, 1994 (with repealers June 30, 1995)

            oPublic Works Board - June 30, 1993 (with repealers June 30, 1994)

            oWashington State Economic Development Board - June 30, 1993 (with repealers June 30, 1994)

            oState Fire Protection Policy Board - June 30, 1996 (with repealers June 30, 1997)

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The only two changes in the striking amendments are:  (1) The termination date of the ground water management advisory committee is extended from 1995 to 1998, and (2) the statutes relating to certificate of need for health care facilities are repealed effective June 30, 1989.

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: Jean Ameluxen, Department of Community Development (for); Pete Butkus, DCD-Public Works Board (for); Stan Finkelstein, AWC (for); Earl Tower, Department of Ecology; Mike Ryherd, Fred Hutchinson Center; Duke Schaub, Associated General Contractors