SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6453

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing a planning process for county‑wide provision of regional services.

SPONSORS: Senators Haugen, Winsley and Sutherland

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Demands are being made on counties to provide services to all residents of the county.  However, counties do not have a process for developing coordinated solutions to regional issues.

SUMMARY:

Counties are recognized as the primary providers of regional services unless another arrangement is agreed to by a county and the cities within the county.  A process is established for developing coordinated solutions to regional issues and counties are directed to take the lead in beginning the process.

The legislative authority of a county with a population of 150,000 or more (optional for other counties) must adopt a regional services framework (a written plan containing planning, coordination, and direct services).  Within 60 days of the effective date of the act, all counties that must adopt a regional services framework shall establish a collaborative process that will lead to the adoption of the regional services framework.

The regional services framework must contain:  a description of regional services to be addressed; desired policies; strategies and timelines to ensure provision of services in a coordinated manner; designation of service providers of lead agencies; and recommendations to the Legislature on financing regional services.

Progress reports must be made to the Legislature by December 31, 1995 and in succeeding years until the regional services framework has been adopted.

Provision is made for multicounty services frameworks.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested