Title: An act relating to providing the secretary of health with authority to administer grants on behalf of the department of health.

Brief Description: Providing the secretary of health with authority to administer grants.

Sponsors: Senators Kline, Deccio, Thibaudeau and Shin; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/3/05, 2/10/05 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5495 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Deccio, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Kastama, Kline and Poulsen.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Benson, Brandland, Johnson and Parlette.

Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)

Background: Currently, the Secretary of the Department of Health has the authority to seek federal grants but does not have the explicit authority to disperse grants. Many believe that allowing the Secretary the authority to disperse grants that the department receives will provide for quicker, easier distribution of federal money.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Secretary of the Department of Health has the authority to enter into contracts, distribute grants and use other legal mechanisms that further the mission of the agency.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute bill strikes potentially confusing language.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This legislation is nothing more than a technical change to existing law. The Secretary needs explicit authority to distribute the grants that the department already receives. This allows for quicker, easier distribution of federal money and still provides for accountability.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Bill White, Department of Health.