SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2757

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, February 20, 2012

Title: An act relating to establishing the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss account and the school for the blind account.

Brief Description: Creating accounts for the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss and for the school for the blind.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representative Moeller; by request of Washington State School for the Blind and Center for Childhood Deafness).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/12, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/20/12 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Murray, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member Capital; Brown, Conway, Fraser, Harper, Hatfield, Hewitt, Holmquist Newbry, Keiser, Padden, Pridemore, Regala, Schoesler and Tom.

Staff: Devon Nichols (786-7716)

Background: The Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss and the Washington State School for the Blind are residential schools located in Vancouver, Washington.

To date, fees collected from the following have been deposited into the respective schools General Fund Local Account with permission of the Office of Financial Management (OFM): (1) fees for services charged to out-of-state residents; and (2) charges for contracts with school districts for students serviced by the district who seek additional consultation or advice from the schools.

Recently, accounting functions were transferred from the schools to the Small Agency Client Services (SACS). At this time SACS informed the schools and OFM that depositing these funds into the General Fund Local Account would not allow the schools to carry funds forward from year to year, as had previously been allowed by OFM.

Summary of Bill: The legislation creates an account for both the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss and the Washington State School for the Blind, to be used for fees for contracts, tuition, donations, and other incomes. The accounts are allotted but nonappropriated, and the accounts will retain their interest earnings.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: No public hearing was held.

Persons Testifying: N/A.