SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1491

BYRepresentatives Leonard, Schoon, Moyer, Prentice, Anderson, Raiter, Hine, Wineberry, Todd, Vekich, Cooper, Brekke, Jacobsen, Nelson, R. King, Pruitt, Sayan, Spanel, Basich and Rasmussen

Redefining the role of the community action agency network.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 14, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Smith, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Stratton, Vognild.

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 14, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 14, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Prior to 1981, federal grants for services to low-income, elderly and disabled people went directly to community action agencies, defined under federal law, to provide locally determined services.  After 1981, the distribution of those anti-poverty funds was changed to community service block grants to the states.  Washington utilizes the community action agencies to implement the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, community service block grants, the Community Food Nutrition Program and other anti-poverty programs.

There is no statutory recognition of the role of the 31 community action agencies in the state, nor a statutory determination of how or by whom federal community block grants should be disbursed.  Three of the community action agencies in Washington are administered by counties, the others by nonprofit agencies.

SUMMARY:

The community action agency network is recognized as a delivery system for federal and state anti-poverty programs in the state.  Local community action agencies, and their service areas, shall be designated in the state/federal community service block grant plan developed by the Department of Community Development.

A community action agency is defined as an office which is either a political subdivision of the state, or a local organization qualifying under federal law as nonprofit.  Nonprofit organizations must have a governing board of between nine and 33 members, with one-third being public officials; one-third representing the poor; and the remainder from the community at large.  The powers of the governing board include the appointment of the executive director; approval of the budget; contracting and operational affairs; and program evaluation and audit.

If a community action agency is administered by a political subdivision of the state, the community action board for that agency must be accountable to the governing board of the subdivision.  The board must make recommendations to the subdivision and assume responsibility for review and consultation on development of program policy; consult on the appointment of the director; monitor and evaluate programs; provide an accounting system; provide assurances against discrimination due to age, race or physical handicap; and provide assurances against the use of governmental funds for political activity by the community action agency.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 6, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Paul Youmans, Coastal Community Action Program; Rick Allen, Pierce County Community Action Agency and WA State Association of Community Action Agencies