SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6483

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.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6483 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hill, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Keiser, Assistant Ranking Member on the Capital Budget; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member, Operating; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Brown, Conway, Darneille, Hewitt, Nelson, O'Ban, Padden, Parlette, Pedersen, Rolfes, Schoesler and Warnick.

Background: Current law directs that all net proceeds from leases of land, conservation easements, the sale of timber or the sale of excess property identified in a 2002 joint legislative audit and review committee capital study of the state's Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) be deposited into the Developmental Disabilities Community Trust Account in the state treasury.

This account was established in 2005 and is also known as the "Dan Thompson memorial developmental disabilities community trust account."

Only investment income from the principal of the proceeds deposited into the account may be spent from the account and monies in the account may only be spent after appropriation from the legislature. Expenditures shall be used exclusively to provide family support and/or employment/day services to eligible persons with developmental disabilities.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The bill removes references to the definition of excess property and requires that fifty percent of any proceeds from the sale of property formerly used as an RHC must be deposited into the trust account in addition to proceeds from the lease of the land, conservation easements and sale of timber.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute: PRO: The land trust is a way to help individuals and their families. We are very aware that a sustainable funding source for the two most requested services just makes good budget sense. It also gives us a future source of funds even though it will be awhile. This bill has nothing to do with closure of institutions, its only the excess land. The bill here simply makes it clearer that the if a RHC closes, that 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the land are put into the trust. This trust is a great source of pride for persons with developmental disabilities. The whole DD community supports this bill. We appreciate the intent of this legislation and that proceeds used to serve people in institutions will be used to support people in community. Our caseloads continue to grow and we are very grateful that you are paying attention to the needs of persons with disabilities. We need more funding for people with developmental disabilities, especially with services like family support and employment services. There are a high percentage of persons with developmental disabilities who are unable to obtain employment. We want to be able to work and be contributing members of society. I lived at an institution for over 20 years before moving to live in the community. I would like others who live at the institutions to be able to live in the community, and this bill helps to provide funding to help that.

Persons Testifying on First Substitute: PRO: Margaret-Lee Thompson, Donna Patrick, Ivanova Smith, Evelyn Perez, Robert Wardell, Mike Layman.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying on First Substitute: No one.