Brief Description: Restricting the use of funds for the Washington WorkFirst program.

Sponsors: Representatives McIntire, Hunt, Kagi, Clements, Hankins, Boldt, Pflug, Alexander, DeBolt, Linville, Grant, Pettigrew, Chase, Simpson, Mielke, Rockefeller and Edwards.

Hearing Date: 2/24/03

Staff: Heather Flodstrom (786-7391).

Background:

In 1997, the Legislature enacted the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation, setting up the WorkFirst program. Funding for the WorkFirst program comes from the federal TANF block grant and state Maintenance of Effort (MOE) dollars. The Legislature gave the Governor and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) authority to spend the TANF/MOE funds in any manner that would lead to accomplishing the outcome measures that the 1997 Legislature set for the WorkFirst program. The TANF/MOE funds are appropriated to the DSHS each year in the biennial appropriations act.

Summary of Bill:

The DSHS is required to spend TANF/MOE funds only to accomplish outcome measures that were set in 1997 for the WorkFirst program -- it may no longer spend the funds "in any manner" that will lead to those outcomes. All expenditures of TANF/MOE funds are to be subject to appropriation and subject to any conditions contained in the biennial or supplemental operating budget.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.