H-1518.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1892

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Kagi and D. Sommers

Read first time 02/09/1999.  Referred to Committee on Children and Family Services.

Providing for a hunger survey project.  

    AN ACT Relating to hunger in Washington; creating new sections; making appropriations; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that a recent report by the United States department of agriculture reported that Washington ranked third in the nation in hunger.  The legislature further finds that hunger affects the growth and development of children, the productivity of adults, and the self-sufficiency of elders.  The legislature further finds that it is critical to understand the extent and dimensions of the hunger problem in Washington so that it can be addressed in the most effective manner.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The department of health shall administer and coordinate a hunger survey project.  The project shall determine:

    (1) The prevalence of hunger in the total population, and among low-income families;

    (2) The characteristics of hungry families and the extent to which antihunger resources are or are not addressing their needs; and

    (3) The ways hungry families attempt to cope with food shortages and the lessons their efforts provide in making services more effective.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The department of health shall provide the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives with a progress report on December 1, 1999, and a final report on December 1, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act expires June 30, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  (1) The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act.

    (2) The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act.

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