HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1307

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to the Washington service corps.

Brief Description:  Reauthorizing and modifying the Washington service corps.

Sponsors:  Representatives Locke, Eide, Silver, Dunshee, L. Johnson, Pruitt, Brough, Sheldon, Jones, Long, Franklin, Talcott, J. Kohl, Wood, Lemmon, Jacobsen, Wang, Leonard, Quall, Rayburn and King.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 4, 1993;

DPS;

Appropriations, March 3, 1993, DPS(TEH).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Schoesler; Sheldon; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:  The Washington Service Corps (WSC) was created by the Legislature in 1983.  The Department of Employment Security administers the program.  The WSC provides unemployed and out-of-school youth, between 18 and 26 years of age, with temporary jobs that benefit the youth's local community.  The goal of the program is to enhance the employability of these youth while addressing unmet local community needs.

Participants serve for six months and receive a stipend, health insurance, training, and eligibility for a scholarship if the participant completes the full six months.  The scholarship is equivalent to one year's tuition at a community or technical college.  The scholarship must be used within two years.  The program allows for a six month extension of service.

At least 60 percent of the projects must be in distressed areas.

The WSC expires July 1, 1993.

Summary of substitute Bill:  The six month service period for the Washington Service Corps (WSC), and possible six month extension, is replaced with an 11 month service period.  The post service scholarship is changed from one year to two years, after completion of the 11 month service period.  The scholarship must be started within one year of completing the service period and used within four years.  A scholarship account is created in the state treasury.

The commissioner may enroll youth 14 to 17 years of age on special projects during the summer and at other times of the year that may compliment their school curriculum.

The expiration of the WSC on July 1, 1993 is repealed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provision in existing law requiring that 60 percent of projects occur in distressed areas is retained in the substitute bill.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 2, 1993.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1993.

Testimony For:  This program both helps unemployed youth acquire work experience and benefits local communities.  The bill allows a good program to continue; it also improves the program by increasing the service period and the scholarship, as well as allowing 14 to 17 year old youth to participate when their school schedules permit.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Gary Locke, prime sponsor (in favor); and Bill Basil, Department of Employment Security (supports continuation of program).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Linville; Morton; Peery; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Sommers; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Wayne Kawakami (786-7384).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing:  No new changes were recommended.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1993.

Testimony For:  The bill allows a good program to continue. The increased service period will allow for more comprehensive training and can better benefit both the youth and the employer.  These programs have a proven record of success.  The service corp has been particularly beneficial in areas with high numbers of disadvantaged youths.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (All pro): Bill Basl, Director, Washington Service Corps; Sylvia McKein, Tacoma Community House; Rod Vroman, Director, Pupil Services for Snohomish School District; Marie Boxberger; and Bob Yamashita.