HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5857

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Bender, Matson, Bauer and Lee)

Authorizing transfer of fixed assets acquired under bonds authorized for facilities for the developmentally disabled.

House Committe on Capital Facilities & Financing

Majority Report:  Do pass (10)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Rasmussen, Vice Chair; Schoon, Ranking Republican Member; Beck, Betrozoff, Braddock, Fraser, Jacobsen, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:Bill Robinson (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1979, the handicap facilities bond issue was authorized by the voters.  This measure provided for a system of regional and community facilities for the care, training, and rehabilitation of persons with sensory, physical, or mental handicaps.  The measure lacked any guidelines which established what a public body could do when it was in possession of a fixed asset it no longer needed.

It has been suggested that fixed assets in the possession of a public body servicing persons with sensory, physical, or mental handicaps should be transferred to other public bodies when no longer needed.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services may permit public bodies to transfer fixed assets to other public bodies, either in the same county or in another county, when they can no longer be used in programs for the care, training, and rehabilitation of persons with sensory, physical, or mental handicaps.

Programs for the care, training and rehabilitation of persons with sensory, physical or mental handicaps shall have first priority in obtaining the surplus fixed assets.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Michael Doctor, Rehabilitation Enterprises of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill simply corrects an omission in the current law by allowing one public body to transfer surplus property, purchased by referendum money, to another public body.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.