SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2539

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:

Local Government, February 20, 2018

Title: An act relating to public hospital district health and wellness promotion activities and superintendent appointment and removal.

Brief Description: Concerning public hospital district health and wellness promotion activities and superintendent appointment and removal.

Sponsors: Representatives Peterson, Griffey, Kloba and Robinson.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/18, 58-39.

Committee Activity: Local Government: 2/20/18, 2/20/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows a public hospital district to provide facilities and services that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury.

  • Authorizes a public hospital district board of commissioners to appoint or remove a hospital superintendent at the same meeting—as opposed to a subsequent meeting—that the matter is introduced.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Palumbo, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Angel and Liias.

Staff: Greg Vogel (786-7413)

Background: Public hospital districts (district) are local government entities that provide hospitals and other health care facilities and services, including emergency medical care services. A district is created by the passage of a voter-approved ballot proposition. Districts may be county-wide or include area from one or more counties within its boundaries, but may not divide a voting precinct. Each district is governed by a board of elected commissioners (board). Districts are authorized to impose regular, non-voter approved property tax levies to finance their facilities and services, in addition to the charges for using facilities and services. More than 50 public hospital districts exist in the state, with most districts located in rural areas.

Each board is responsible for appointing a hospital superintendent who serves as the chief administrative officer of the public hospital district. The superintendent is appointed to the position for an indefinite time, but can be removed at the will of the board. Appointments and removals of superintendents are done by resolution, which are introduced at a regular meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting by a majority vote of the board.

Summary of Bill: The terms other health care facilities and other health care services are expanded, so that districts may now provide facilities and services that promote health, wellness, and prevention of illness and injury.

Appointments and removals of superintendents may now be introduced and adopted at the same meeting, rather than introduced, then adopted at a subsequent meeting.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is an ounce of prevention bill, allowing hospital districts to do a lot more preventive care and health and wellness. It fixes the auditor's concern over the ability of districts to provide these services. It is a positive bill, especially for rural hospital districts. As far as the house vote, there was some confusion over public dollars competing with private entities and that just is not the case. Public hospital districts are the only kind of facilities providing care in their area.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Strom Peterson, Prime Sponsor; Lisa Thatcher, Association of Public Hospital Districts.

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