HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2330

Title:  An act relating to disbursements from the liquor revolving fund; and reenacting and amending RCW 66.08.180.

Brief Description:  Allowing liquor revolving fund disbursements to the death

investigations account.

Sponsors:  Representatives McMorris and Scott.

Brief Summary of Bill

CDirects money for the state toxicology lab from the liquor revolving fund

          into the death investigations account.

Background:  The state toxicology laboratory performs all necessary toxicological procedures requested by coroners, medical examiners, and prosecuting attorneys.  Legislation enacted during the 1999 session transferred the toxicology lab function from the University of Washington (UW) medical school to the State Patrol. 

Funding for the toxicology lab comes from the Liquor Revolving Fund.  Each quarter, the Treasurer transfers $300,000 from the Liquor Revolving Fund to the State Patrol for the toxicology lab.  However, the legislation that transferred the lab to the State Patrol did not specify into which account these Liquor Revolving Fund moneys are deposited, so the moneys are not directed into an account from which the State Patrol is authorized to make expenditures.

The death investigations account is an appropriated account that funds various programs, including the State Patrol=s toxicology lab.

Summary:  The quarterly transfers to the State Patrol from the Liquor Revolving Fund for the state toxicology lab are deposited into the death investigations account.

Appropriation:  None.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 11, 2000.