HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5401

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

April 4, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the elimination of boards and commissions.

Brief Description:  Eliminating boards and commissions.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson and Finkbeiner; by request of Governor Locke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  3/23/01, 3/28/01 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 4/4/01, 92-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House)

$Terminates a number of state boards, councils, and commissions and some related responsibilities of these entities.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives McMorris, Republican Co‑Chair; Romero, Democratic Co‑Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Haigh, Lambert, McDermott and D. Schmidt.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786‑7127).

Background:

The Governor and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) are required to review state boards and commissions, and in every odd‑numbered year submit to the Legislature a recommended list of boards and commissions to be terminated or consolidated.  During the 1995‑1997 biennium, Washington had 381 boards and commissions, down from a high of 569 during the 1991‑1993 biennium.  Legislation was enacted in 1999 abolishing 33 boards, commissions, and committees.

Summary of  Amended Bill:

The following boards, councils, or commissions are abolished and related responsibilities of these entities terminated:

$Various regional advisory committees and councils for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

$The state advisory committee to the DSHS.

$The Washington State Job Training Coordinating Council and the Washington Youthbuild program.

$The Regional Citizen's Advisory Committee under the Model Toxics Control Act.

$The Sea Urchin and Sea Cucumber Advisory Review Board.

$The Coastal Crab Advisory Review Board.

$The Ocean Pink Shrimp Advisory Review Board.

$The Shorelines Guidelines Commission.

$The Wetlands Mitigation Banking Advisory Team.

$The Commission on Legislative Building Preservation and Renovation.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the DSHS and the Department of Ecology continue appropriate public involvement and outreach programs.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is part of an effort to streamline government.  It eliminates 18 boards and commissions.  Many of these boards are not functioning or only function sporadically.

Testimony Against:  None

Testified:  Fred Hellberg, Goveronor=s Office; and Michelle Wilson, Manager, Productivity Board, Office of the Secretary of State.