HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6729

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                Trade & Economic Development

Title:  An act relating to financing needs for senior housing.

Brief Description:  Financing senior housing.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice, Winsley, Finkbeiner, Fairley, Rasmussen and Kline.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  2/23/98, 2/26/98 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Dunn, Vice Chairman; Veloria, Ranking Minority Member; Eickmeyer, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander; Ballasiotes; Mason; McDonald and Morris.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The 13-member task force consists of:  (a) the director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development; (b) the executive director of the Washington State Investment Board; (c) the executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission; (d) four representatives from organizations involved in the management of senior housing developments; (e) three representatives from financial institutions involved in financing senior housing developments; (f) one representative from a mobile home owners association; (g) one representative from a mobile home park owners association; and (h) one representative from a public housing authority.

As required in the legislation, the task force completed and delivered its report on financing  techniques to the Legislature during the 1998 session.  The task force expired on February 1, 1998.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Task Force on Financing Senior Housing and Housing for Persons with Disabilities is recreated.  The 13-member task force is revised by: (a) removing the executive director of the Washington State Investment Board; (b) removing one representative from organizations involved in management of senior housing development; (c) removing one representative from financial organizations; (d) adding the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services; and (e) adding two representatives from state-wide organizations that represent persons with disabilities.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission are directed to supply information and administrative assistance to the task force.

A progress report must be submitted to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 15,1998.  The task force expires February 1, 1999.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment: (a) reduces the task force membership from 16 members to 13 members; (b) removes the director of the Washington State Investment Board from the task force and associated technical/administrative duties; and (c) directs the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to provide technical/administrative support to the task force.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The task force that was created in 1997 has been very successful.  We now just want to extend the expiration date for another year.  The extension would give the task force valuable time to work on solutions to financing problems.  The addition of representatives of people with disabilities will provide necessary input in this important area.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Kim Herman, Washington State Housing Finance Commission (pro); Karen Tynes, Washington Association of Homes for the Aged (pro); Donna Patrick, Developmental Disabilities Council (pro); and Ray Munson, Mobile Home Owners of America (pro).