SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1492

BYRepresentatives H. Sommers  and Chandler; by request of Governor Gardner

Revising various boards and commissions.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 23, 1988

BACKGROUND:

For the past several years, the Office of the Governor has made recommendations to consolidate or eliminate state boards and commissions whose functions are considered duplicative or whose mission has been accomplished.

Board of Electrical Examiners and Electrical Advisory Board.  Under law, the Board of Electrical Examiners - - which has nine members appointed by the governor -- develops licensing examinations for electricians and electrical contractors.  The Electrical Advisory Board -- composed of seven members appointed by the governor -- provides advice on electrical installations and inspections.  Both are administratively associated with the Building and Construction Safety Division of the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The governor recommends that the two boards can be merged and still fairly represent the affected interests.

Land Bank Advisory Committee.  In 1986 the Legislature created the Washington Land Bank -- composed of nine members, including four legislators and five appointed by the Director of Agriculture or the Director of General Administration -- to serve as a credit vehicle for farmers and ranchers.  The temporary Land Bank Advisory Committee was created to assist the Department of General Administration (GA) in developing rules and procedures for implementing the Land Bank.  The committee completed the report required by the statute, and the administrative rules for the program have been adopted.

Transportation of Hazardous Materials Technical Advisory Committee.  The committee is charged with advising the State Patrol in developing regulations for safe transport of hazardous materials; it is composed of six members of interested groups appointed by the Chief of the Patrol.  At the same time, the Governor's Emergency Management Council is charged with advising the governor and the Division of Emergency Management in the Department of Community Development (DCD); the council is composed of up to 15 members appointed by the governor representing affected interests in local governments and the private sector.  A significant number of incidents which concern the council involve hazardous materials. The governor has recommended incorporating the Technical Advisory Committee into the council.

Institute of Forest Resources Advisory Commission.  The commission was established to assist in policy formation for the Institute of Forest Resources at the University of Washington. Its 11 members have been appointed by the president of the University, but it has not met during the last two biennia.

SUMMARY:

Electrical Board.  A single board replaces the Board of Electrical Examiners and the Electrical Advisory Board.  The new board consists of 10 members appointed by the governor: one represents a public or private electrical power distributor; three licensed electrical contractors, of whom one may be a representative of an electrical industry trade association; one representative of manufacturers or distributors of electrical equipment or supplies; one public member with knowledge of the electrical industry; three certified electricians, and one licensed professional electrical engineer.

Land Bank Advisory Committee.  The section of law creating the committee is repealed, effective June 30, 1988.

Transportation of Hazardous Materials.  The Emergency Management Council is expanded from a maximum of 15 to 17 members by including a representative of the Washington State Patrol, and providing that the representatives of private industry shall include persons knowledgeable in the transport of hazardous materials.  The functions of the council are expanded to include advising the Chief of the State Patrol on transport of hazardous materials.  The section of law creating the Technical Advisory Committee is repealed.

Institute of Forest Resources Advisory Commission.  The statutory requirement for the commission is eliminated and the section of law creating it is repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: no one