HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis       Bill No. SB 5915

Removing language requiring obsolete or unwanted reports.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 3/23/99

Senators Patterson and McDonald.           Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

A number of laws have been enacted requiring state agencies to prepare reports.  Some of these reports were one-time reports, while other reports are on-going reports.

Legislation was enacted in 1998 eliminating obsolete requirements for over 240 reports to be prepared.

SUMMARY:

Requirements are eliminated or altered for a number of reports and studies.

Obsolete requirements for the following one-time reports are eliminated:

$A report indicating the number of sex offenders classified in each level of risk category;

$The feasibility and value of consolidating educational services to juvenile offenders who are committed to state facilities;

$Recommendations related to training standards and delivery systems for administrators and resident care giving staff providing residential care;

$Managed care initiatives initiated by the Public Employees= Benefits Board;

$The possible consolidation or elimination of advisory committees for the Department of Social and Health Services;

$The distribution formula for determining allocations to community networks under the family policy council law;

$Improving bicycle and pedestrian safety;

$Policies and procedures on the control and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases or other communicable diseases of detainees and offenders;

$Progress by the Department of Fish and Wildlife in reaching mutual agreements with treaty Indian tribes on the marking of chinook and coho salmon;

$Steps taken by the Utilities and Transportation Commission implementing a universal telecommunications service program; and

$Recommendations on salmon recovery.

Requirements for the following on-going reports are eliminated:

$The effect of recently required steps for agencies to adopt rules;

$The amount of revenue recovery that is due to the Department of Social and Health Services and the amount of this debt that has been written off;

$Low-level radioactive waste disposal at Hanford;

$Demonstration projects for special needs transportation; and

$Implementing an asset protection program for persons receiving long-term care.

Changes are made to other studies and reports as follows:

$The listing of reductions in state revenue arising from tax exemptions must be prepared every fourth year rather than every even-numbered year.

$The specific date when annual quality assurances reports on children health and safety must be made is deleted.

$The annual report on attorneys= fees and expenses that are awarded by courts is retained but no longer is made to the Legislature.

$The requirement is eliminated that the Housing Finance Commission plan be submitted to the Legislature on a specific date.

The requirement is eliminated that budget documents prepared by the Governor and Legislature display an enrollment target level for different institutions of higher education.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.