HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1324

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Hankins and H. Sommers) 

Providing for sunset review and termination dates.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; Baugher, Chandler, Hankins, O'Brien, Peery, Taylor and Walk.

House Staff:Ken Conte (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 29, 1988

BACKGROUND:

During the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Legislative sessions, a large number of statutory boards, commissions, advisory committees, and task forces were created.  In many cases, the statutes creating these entities also scheduled automatic termination or sunset review dates.  However, in a number of cases, termination or sunset review dates were not established and, as a result, the newly created entities will continue to exist as statutory committees for an indefinite period of time.

The following entities were created during the last three Legislative sessions and no termination or sunset review dates were established:

Joint Center for Higher Education - Spokane's Joint Center for Higher Education was created in January 1986 to coordinate several activities of Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and other public and private institutions of higher education in eastern Washington.

Low-Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee - Effective January 1988, the Director of the Department of Community Development is required to appoint the Low-Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee to advise the Director on housing needs in Washington, grants and loans from the Housing Trust Fund, and policy regarding low-income housing.

Broker's Trust Account Board - Effective January 1988, this Board is to review and give final approval to loan and grant applications for funding from the Housing Trust Fund, and to advise the Real Estate Commission on licensee education programs.  Six members of the Board are appointed by the Governor and one member is appointed by the Real Estate Commission.

Governor's School Drop Out Prevention Task Force - Effective July 1987, this Task Force has the responsibility of increasing public awareness of drop outs and encouraging new strategies to keep youth in school.  The Task Force is appointed jointly by Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Substance Abuse Advisory Committee - Effective July 1987, this Committee is to advise the Superintendent of Public Instruction on substance abuse programs.  The Committee is appointed by the Superintendent.

Displaced Homemaker Advisory Committee - Effective July 1987, this Committee is to assist in the administration of the Displaced Homemakers Program administered through the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  Up to 22 members may be appointed by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Disability Accommodation Advisory Review Board - Effective July 1987, this Board is to establish criteria for use of the new Disability Accommodation Revolving Fund and approve disbursements from the Fund.  The Board is appointed by the Director of Personnel.

Advisory Committee on International Education - Effective July 1987, this Committee is to advise the Superintendent of Public Instruction on international education issues.  The Committee is appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Working Committee on International Education - Effective July 1987, this Committee is to develop international education model curriculum guidelines.  The Committee is appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

SUMMARY:

The following entities are scheduled for termination on the dates shown:

            oDisability Accommodation Advisory Review Board - June 30, 1989

            oAdvisory Committee on International Education - June 30, 1991

            o Working Committee on International Education - June 30, 1989

            oSubstance Abuse Advisory Committee - June 30, 1992

            oGovernor's School Drop Out Prevention Task Force - June 30, 1989

            oDisplaced Homemaker Advisory Committee - June 30, 1997

The following entities are scheduled for sunset review and possible termination on the dates shown:

            oJoint Center for Higher Education and its powers and duties - June 30, 1991

            oLow Income Housing Assistance Advisory Committee and its powers and duties - June 30, 1996

            oBroker's Trust Account Board and its powers and duties - June 30, 1996

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

Effective Date:Sections of the bill take effect on different dates.  See Summary.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (testimony restricted to Human Research Review Boards) Tim Brown, Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Human Research Review Boards provide a mechanism for deciding whether or not client records should be used for research purposes.  These are very sensitive decisions which, due to the Boards' role, are made in a professional manner largely insulated from political influence.  (Staff Note:  The section relating to Human Research Review Boards is removed in the substitute bill.)