SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 1437

                     AS OF MARCH 17, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring policy and performance audits of department of veteran affairs, Washington soldiers' home, and Washington veterans' home.

SPONSORS: Representatives R. Meyers, Dorn, Pruitt and Campbell

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is responsible for providing advice, assistance, and counseling services to the state's 650,000 veterans.  DVA also manages the two state institutions that provide for residential and nursing care for the state's indigent veterans.  Admittance to the Washington Soldiers' Home at Orting, and Washington Veterans' Home at Retsil is limited to honorably discharged veterans of U.S. wars, members of the state militia disabled in the line of duty, and certain surviving spouses.

DVA is audited annually by the State Auditor and the federal Veterans' Affairs Department.  The state audit is a fiscal audit.  The federal audit is both a performance audit and a fiscal audit.  The Legislative Budget Committee is responsible for performing performance audits and program evaluations of state programs.

SUMMARY:

The Legislative Budget Committee will conduct an examination of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Washington Soldiers' Home, and the Washington Veterans' Home to determine the quality of patient care and whether excess income of residents in the respective revolving funds are being spent appropriately.  To avoid duplication, the Legislative Budget Committee will review and report whether these issues have been covered by other state or federal audits.  The Legislative Budget Committee will report to the Legislature by January 1, 1994.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested March 16, 1993