BILL REQ. #:  S-1509.1 

Read first time 02/08/2007.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to unappropriated funds in the health professions account; and amending RCW 43.70.320.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 43.70.320 and 1993 c 492 s 411 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is created in the state treasury an account to be known as the health professions account. All fees received by the department for health professions licenses, registration, certifications, renewals, or examinations and the civil penalties assessed and collected by the department under RCW 18.130.190 shall be forwarded to the state treasurer who shall credit such moneys to the health professions account.
     (2) All expenses incurred in carrying out the health professions licensing activities of the department shall be paid from the account as authorized by legislative appropriation, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. Any residue in the account shall be accumulated and shall not revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium.
     (3) The secretary shall biennially prepare a budget request based on the anticipated costs of administering the health professions licensing activities of the department which shall include the estimated income from health professions fees.
     (4) The secretary may spend unappropriated funds in the health professions account to meet unanticipated costs when revenues exceed more than fifteen percent over the department's estimated six-year spending projections. Unanticipated costs shall be limited to spending as authorized in subsection (3) of this section for anticipated costs.