Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing

HB 1131

Brief Description:  Modifying the powers of public hospital districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mulliken, Dunshee, Edwards, G. Chandler, DeBolt, Dunn and Hatfield.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Alters the date hospital districts are required to submit their budgets.

Hearing Date:  2/1/01

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786‑7106).

Background: 

Public Hospital Districts are created to own and operate hospitals and other health care facilities for the residents of the district.  There are approximately 50 public hospital districts in 29 counties that operate under this chapter.  Of those districts, 42 have actual hospitals, while eight operate other types of health care facilities.

Public Hospital Districts are required to prepare a proposed budget for the ensuing year and file that budget with the commission on or before September 1st of each year.  Notice of the filing and a hearing date must be published for at least two consecutive weeks in newspapers within the county.  On October 1st, the commission shall hold a public hearing on the budget, and by resolution adopt the budget and fix the final expenditures for the ensuing year.

Summary of Bill: 

The date districts are required to submit their budgets has been changed from September 1st to November 1st.  Publication requirements are clarified to say that notice of filing and hearing date must be published at least one time each week, for two consecutive weeks.  The October 1st hearing date is also changed to, on or before November 15th.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.