HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5359

As Passed House:

April 10, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the health professions' use of pro tem board members.

Brief Description:  Modifying the health professions' appointment of pro tem members.

Sponsors:  By Senators Thibaudeau, Winsley, Parlette and Franklin; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  3/22/01, 3/23/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/10/01, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows the Secretary of Health to appoint any number of pro tem members to committees of a health professions board or commission.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786‑7133).

Background:

The Secretary of Health is authorized by law to appoint up to three pro tem members to a health professions board or commission with licensing and disciplinary responsibilities.  Pro tem members have all the powers and privileges of regularly appointed members, and sit on charging and disciplinary panels to assist in the investigation and adjudicative process.

Summary of  Bill:

The Secretary may appoint an unlimited number of pro tem members to a committee of a health professions board or commission.  Their appointments are limited to one-year terms, and reappointment cannot exceed four one-year terms.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is a Department of Health request bill.  It gives the Secretary of Health more flexibility in adding enough temporary board members to professional boards and commissions to cope with their licensing and disciplining responsibilities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Thibaudeau, prime sponsor; and Sue Shoblom, Department of Health.