Legislative Bulletin Bill Room (360) 786-7573 Legislative Hot Line 1-800-562-6000 January 14, 2000 http://www.wacounties.org Bulletin #1 SESSION BEGINS The first week of the legislative session was dominated by two topics: Reaction to the Initiative 695 revenue shortfalls and property tax relief. The only discussion this week that didn't appear to center solely on those two topics was the Governor's State of the State address. The Governor was very upbeat about the Washington economy and spent a significant amount of time emphasizing education reform. The hallmark of the Governor's plan is class size reduction and quality education for our children. The I-695 discussion ranges from every aspect of transportation funding to the effects on the State general budget and impacts on specific state agencies. Ultimately the discussion falls on to the impact on cities and counties. The House Local Government Committee and the House Appropriations Committee held discussions on the impacts to local government with representatives from cities and counties making presentations before both committees. Property tax relief was the other topic that received considerable attention this week. On the first day of the session, the Senate Democrats announced their relief package, which would allow every owner of a single family residence a $200 credit against the state levy. The following day the Senate Republican Caucus unveiled their plan which is a phase-out of the state levy. Indications from the House Republicans are that they also favor a phasing out of the state levy. In December, when the Governor announced his budget plans, and again in his State of the State Address, he indicated his proposal includes a property tax relief measure, and also deals with the credit of the state levy. The Governor's and the Senate Democrat's State levy credit proposals both require a constitutional amendment which takes a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate and then a positive vote by the public in November. The phase-out of the state levy being recommended by the House and Senate Republicans would not require any kind of a constitutional amendment and could pass by a simple majority. Clearly, at this point in time, there is very little consensus on what approach will be taken. The only agreement seems to be that if something significant is not done to provide property tax relief, there will be an initiative approved that will do something very drastic. ************************************** COUNTIES RESPOND TO I-695 DURING FIRST WEEK OF LEGISLATURE I-695 was the main topic during the first week of the session. Both House Local Government and Appropriations committees held work sessions with county and city officials to hear the impacts of I-695. Clark County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris and Legislative Co-Chair, Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen and Lewis County Treasurer Rose Bowman testified before both committees. It was not lost on the committees that all three were former legislators and were in their element testifying. It was obvious that many of the legislators were pleased to see their former colleagues. The counties made several points in their testimony. Commissioner Morris pointed out that unlike the state, which sets a levy amount, counties set their levies by adoption of their budgets. With I-695, any increase in expenditures from the prior year would need to be voted upon. She said that if in future years the county were unable to have a successful vote it would raise the same amount in 2007 as in 2000. The result would be to put a potential moratorium on any future development. The result is a loss in revenues to the state as well as the county. Executive Kremen said that his county adopted a budget that included no increases in the property tax. Co-Chair Helen Sommers asked why Whatcom didn't increase their property tax rather than ask the state for any money. Kremen said that he felt obligated to try and honor the will of the people when they passed the initiative. Treasurer Bowman pointed out that Lewis County had made many cuts in their budget resulting in lost positions and lower service. But it would have been much worse if they had not use a large portion of their reserves. Several members of both committees asked what additional cuts the counties could make. As Rose Bowman said, after budgeting up to 72% of Lewis County's general fund for law and justice there wasn't much left to cut. She said about all that was left was some seniors programs, parks and few other small expenditures, none of which would make up for the lost MVET funds. The county presentation on I-695 impacts followed one by city representatives on their I-695 impacts. Committee members appeared especially sympathetic and receptive to the county presentations. Several heads nodded at requests that the Legislature reimburse counties for prisoners brought in by the State Patrol and that Superior Court Judge salaries be fully paid by the state. Representative Mark Doumit (D-Wahkiakum County) asked for a complete list of criminal costs generated by the state since enactment of the Sentencing Reform Act. So far, only the Governor has placed a proposal in front of the Legislature. For counties he has proposed a total of $90 million for the remainder of the biennium. This includes $39 million for public health as an on-going source of funds ($26 million annually). Then he proposes $51 million one time funding for criminal justice. His sales tax equalization proposal would only apply to Garfield and Columbia County. Key members of the Legislature have not given the proposal a very warm reception. The counties used information from a survey that spelled out the impacts on current expense budgets. So far 23 counties have responded. We need to get all counties to respond since legislators want to know what happened to their own counties. The counties who have responded as of January 12th are: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima. ************************************** PROPERTY TAX RELIEF Several measures have been filed dealing with property tax relief, but the two measures (by the Senate Democratic Caucus and Senate Republican Caucus) that came up this week are the most significant. Senate Democrats announced a proposal which would provide a $200 credit against the state levy for all individuals who own their own homes and the home is the principal place of residence (SJR 8212). This requires a constitutional amendment so it would take a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate and then a vote by the public in November before it could become law. SJR 8212 will be a heard next Monday in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 3:30 p.m. Although assessors and treasurers have not had an opportunity to review this and take an official position, WACO was asked to designate one assessor and treasurer to testify on Monday. We have asked Robin Hunt, Thurston County Treasurer and Jack Westerman, Jefferson County Assessor. On Tuesday, the Senate Republican Caucus announced a phase out of the state levy. This measure was being introduced by Senator Rossi, who is the ranking minority member on the Senate Ways & Means Committee along with several other senators. It is similar to proposals which have been introduced in the past. Assessors have an ongoing position of supporting legislation which will phase down and ultimately eliminate the state levy. ************************************** MOTOR VEHICLES-PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Several bills have been introduced to reinstate the property tax exemption for motor vehicles, travel trailers and campers. The Governor's request legislation introduced in the Senate, is SB 6115, prime sponsored by Senator Loveland with several other Senators signing on. In the House, the bill is HB 2336, the prime sponsor being Senator Rockefeller along with several other Representatives. Last week in The Courthouse Journal we mistakenly identified HB 2309 by Representatives Thomas and Fortunato as the Governor's Request bill. However, it virtually does the same thing. Assessors and Treasurers should make contacts on these three bills urging their passage. SB 6115 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Monday at 3:30 p.m., in Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building. On Tuesday, January 18, the House Finance Committee will hold hearing on HB 2309 and HB 2336 exempting motor vehicles, travel trailers and campers from the property tax. The hearing will be in Hearing Room C of the John L. O'Brien Building. ************************************** TIMBER TAX REWRITE (SB 6322) Significant progress has been made in working with the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) on the assessors' recommendation to update the timber tax laws. Recently, after we made some accommodations, the WFPA indicated that they agree with the assessors on the rewrites and will support the measure in the upcoming legislative session. Previously, the assessors had not planned to pursue this legislation this year, but with the positive endorsement by timber representatives and encouragement to promote the legislation this session, we expect the assessors will vote at their meeting next week to do just that. That measure will be introduced in the Senate. Sponsors will be Senator Loveland, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and Senator Rossi, ranking minority member of the Senate Ways & Means. As soon as a bill number is available, we encourage assessors' offices to pull a copy off the Internet and make sure you and your staff have an opportunity to review. The measure is rather lengthy so we are not going to mail it to all the counties at this time. ************************************** LAKE CUSHMAN/PROPERTY TAX This week, HB 2365 was introduced by Representatives Haigh, Pennington, Eickmeyer, Dunshee, and Hurst. The measure modifies the existing law for Lake Cushman leases which will no longer be subject to leasehold excise tax, but the individual holding those leases would pay an amount equal to property taxes and be treated, as close as possible, the same as any of the other property taxpayers. ************************************** TREASURERS' PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION BILL The County Treasurers' Association has decided not to introduce a bill to eliminate the property tax exemption for property with an assessed value of less than $500, during this year's legislative session. They decided it was prudent not to confuse some of the other property tax issues in this short session and to introduce a bill next year or to include the exemption issue in a clean up bill. ************************************** MARINE EXCISE TAX SB 6332 is the WACO/Sheriffs' recommendation directing that all revenue over $1.1 million, collected from Marine Excise Taxes, be reallocated to the counties for marine law enforcement and boater safety programs. Currently, the state collects approximately $8 million annually from this tax and none is sent back to the counties. The bill has gone directly to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and sheriffs need to call members on this committee in support of the measure. ************************************** HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ************************************** KING COUNTY COUNCIL OK'S MORE METHADONE TREATMENT SLOTS Methadone treatment will be available for an additional 1000 heroin users under a provision passed by the King County Council. The Council unanimously voted to increase the number of license treatment slots by more than 50 percent. "It's good news. We've made some progress in making this a clean, sober and safe community," said Councilman Greg Nickels who also is chairman of the King County Board of Health. The health board strongly recommended the action last May after a record number of heroin-related deaths were reported in the County during 1998. The number declined slightly in 1999 but county health officials still consider local heroin use a public-health crisis. They were also worried about the spread of hepatitis C and the AIDS virus. The vote on January 3 increased the number of slots from 2100 to 3150. Councilmember Vance added an amendment to the new legislation that limited the new treatment slots to existing providers - the three existing private clinics that now operate facilities in King County. These are Evergreen Treatment Services, Therapeutic Health Services, and Federal Way Clinic. Another amendment by Councilmember Pullen allows for the exploration of alternative treatments to methadone. The County Board of Health has asked state health officials to seeks ways to allow private physicians to prescribe methadone. Such a bill passed the Senate last year but died in Committee in the House. ************************************** PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS HOT SUBJECT IN BOTH HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE The Patient's Bill of Rights, which failed last year, received a much warmer reception this year. Could be it's an election year and the national congress also appears to be enacting similar legislation. The stopping block last year was the right to sue a health maintenance organization. So far this year, it appears the right to sue will be allowed to remain in the bill. The other main component is allowance for an independent review of an insurer's decisions. There are also provisions regarding privacy of medical information, the requirement for full disclosure of what is covered or not covered by a health plan, and the requirement that plans have a medical director on staff to make health decisions. Both the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee and the House Health Care Committee held the initial public hearing on the bill this first week of session. Once some continued negotiation is concluded on the details, the bills are expected to pass on a non-partisan basis. One big outstanding detail is estimating the cost impact of the right to sue. ************************************** TRANSPORTATION ************************************** TRANSPORTATION UPDATE While most legislators agree that transportation issues and the impacts of Initiative 695 on transportation are of vital importance during this legislative session, they seem to be paying little more than lip- service at this point. Following are a few transportation-related bills of interest to counties. For further information on the bills and possible hearing dates, contact Sophia Byrd at 360-753-1886 or sbyrd@wacounties.org. Senate Bill 6189 clarifies that transportation projects involving environmental mitigation do not constitute a "sale at retail," thus are exempt from sales tax. Recently the Department of Revenue has denied the longstanding tax exemption for certain environmental mitigation work, even though the mitigation is required for the project. This bill clarifies the matter. Senate Bill 6190 declares that eminent domain proceedings under chapter 8.08 RCW shall have precedence over all cases in court except criminal proceedings. The purpose is to promote expeditious resolution of public-use disputes in eminent domain proceedings. Senate Bill 6130 removes the state ferry monopoly. Senate Bill 6212 authorizes private passenger-only ferries to replace service discontinued by the state. SB 6212 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee at 3:30, Wednesday, January 19 in Senate Hearing Room 1. Senate Bill 6125 repeals RCW 46.68.080, thus repealing the refund of vehicle license fees and fuel tax to island counties. The Chair of Senate Transportation Committee does not support this bill, and it likely will not even get a hearing. On other transportation fronts, the Blue Ribbon Commission met in Olympia Wednesday, January 13. Among other business, the commission heard public comments regarding its preliminary findings then adopted those findings with very few changes. The adopted findings, work plans for 2000, and other documents will be available at the Commission's Web site at www.brct.wa.gov. Although the Commission has formally adopted findings, it will consider further additions and revisions to the findings in the coming months. The findings adopted January 13 will be used as the foundation to focus the package of transportation "options" due in May. The Commission promises extensive public outreach and stakeholder review of these options prior to presenting recommendations to the Legislature in December. ************************************** ENVIRONMENT, LAND USE & RESOURCES ************************************** WELL DELEGATION AUTHORITY UP FOR HEARING In 1992 the Legislature authorized the Department of Ecology to delegate its water well construction inspection program at the request of a local health district or county. A sunset of that delegation was extended in 1996 to again expire on June 30, 2000. Many counties and health districts successfully operate this program today with funds from the Department of Ecology and local fees. At the request of Environmental Health Directors, Senator Tracey Eide (D-King County) has introduced SB 6349 to extend the delegation authority until 2006. It is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Environmental Quality and Water Resources Committee. Another version of the bill, making the delegation authority permanent, may also be introduced next week. ************************************** 2000 LEGISLATURE EXPRESSING STRONG INTEREST IN ECOLOGY'S NEW PROPOSED SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM RULES Ecology's new proposed Shoreline Management Act Rules are receiving significant attention from legislators during this 2000 legislative session. The current version of the rules is a rewrite of Ecology's controversial 1999 proposed rules, which detail new approval and amendment procedures as well as guidelines for drafting local Shoreline Master Programs. Preliminary feedback trickling in from county and city planners indicates that many of the concerns voiced during the public review process about the substance of the previous rule are addressed in the new version of the rule. For instance, a previous provision requiring local governments to perform new biological inventories currently requires review based only on existing available data. Further, the management policies in the new proposal provide local governments a greater degree of flexibility when determining how best to manage a given environmental designation. However, many local governments voice concern about the new proposed rule's procedural requirements. Specifically, many consider timeline provisions requiring local jurisdictions to review and revise their Shoreline Master Programs to be untenable given recent funding concerns as well as current staffing levels. In addition, the legislature is receiving an education on the similarities and differences between the Growth Management Act and Shoreline Management Act. Bryan Harrison, Director of Pacific County Community Development and Steve Morrison of the Thurston County Regional Planning Council testified before the House Local Government Committee on 1/10 about the need for greater integration between GMA and SMA. They also testified about the difference between GMA and SMA planning tools and procedural requirements. Currently, Growth Management Act planning tools are being used in some instances to implement the goals of the Shoreline Management Act due to the procedural burdens of the SMA. On Monday, January 17, the House Local Government Committee will hold a public hearing on four House Bills relating to the Shoreline Management Act. HB 1591 extends time limits for the adoption of shoreline master plans by local governments. HB 2391 creates a joint task force on shoreline planning. HB 2393 would require the department of ecology to present updated shoreline management guidelines to the legislature before they take effect. HB 2394 would change provisions relating to review and amendment of shoreline master program guidelines. A bill to fully integrate the shoreline management act into GMA also is expected to surface next week. ************************************** WINTER RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE UP FOR RENEWAL WSAC A bill supported by WSAC has been introduced to extend the operation of the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC). If passed, SB 6174 will repeal a sunset clause that would have terminated the committee June 30, 2001. Created in 1975, the WRAC advises the State Parks and Recreation Committee in the administration and development of winter recreation programs and facilities. The WRAC is entirely self-supported with recreation based user fees; funds are used to groom and maintain snow trails as well as parking and rest facilities. In November 1999, WSAC passed a resolution supporting the continuation of the WRAC. Okanogan County Commissioner Dave Schultz currently represents the Association of Counties on the Commission Board. ************************************** LAW AND JUSTICE ************************************** COURT REFORM PROPOSALS HIT THE LEGISLATURE Three different proposals to address the strains in the court system were considered in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 13. Justice Talmadge led off the meeting with a description of the Court Reform proposal he outlined at the November WSAC Legislative Conference. Representative Mike Carrell (R-Pierce County) and Rep. Pat Lantz (D-Kitsap County) also unveiled proposals to expand district court jurisdiction as a way to alleviate the strain on Superior Courts. The Talmadge proposal (SB 6191) would allow the full-time, elected judges of each county to vote to consolidate superior court, district and municipal court operations in a single county-wide superior court system, administered by a presiding judge. The presiding judge will manage the court staff, appoint a courthouse facilitator, establish a local justice advisory committee, and assume other duties set forth by Supreme Court rule. The presiding judge may establish a violations bureau with jurisdiction over infractions and appoint hearing officers for that violations bureau. The presiding judge also shall have the authority to organize alternative dispute resolution programs and nontraditional adjudication proceedings. SB 6191 also creates an office of marshal appointed by the Governor after nomination by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Small claims jurisdiction is increased from $2,500 to $10,000. The marshal is responsible for enforcement of all court orders. It directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a fiscal review of the state court system and directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to make recommendations to the legislature for decriminalization of existing criminal code provisions. Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton and Kitsap County Clerk Dean Logan testified on behalf of WSAC and WACO indicating that county government recognizes the need to address court reform. Shelton told the Committee that representatives of counties, cities, and the courts met in with Chief Justice Guy December and agreed to work on developing a package of measures to improve the operation of the court system. "We acknowledge the need for additional resources for the court system and pledge support to work with the courts, prosecutors, sheriffs and cities to accomplish court reform and a streamlined process," he said. Shelton, however, commented that Justice Talmadge's proposal appears to substantially increase the state role in Superior Court operations. If the Legislature intends to centralize the state court system, the state also should also play a much larger role in funding the Superior Courts. He also noted that the state marshal system appears to duplicate a function performed by county sheriffs. And, while the bill could help address access to justice through increased reliance on alternative dispute resolution programs, nontraditional adjudication proceedings, expanded use of small claims court and required appointment of courthouse facilitators, increased access cannot occur at the expense of county budgets. ************************************** LAW & JUSTICE ISSUES POPULAR WITH LEGISLATORS As usual, legislators are finding a lot to capture their attention in the law & justice arena. Bills already introduced run the gamut from increased penalties for DUI, to DNA testing for all felons, to indigent defense, to full-blown reform of the court system. (See related article on court reform.) Following are a few bills that may be of interest to counties. For more information on bills and hearing dates contact Sophia Byrd at 360-753-1886 or sbyrd@wacounties.org. Senate Bill 6181 increases the penalties for third and subsequent DUI offenses. The qualifying offense would be included in the Level 8 Seriousness Level, which would send the offender to state prison rather than county jail. However, any savings to counties could be offset from having to process city offenders in Superior Court. A fiscal note is being requested. House Bill 2370 directs the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) to conduct a regional service study of total costs and expenditures for city and county law enforcement activities in counties with populations greater than 150,000. The purpose of the study is to identify ways to coordinate law enforcement, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ensure basic public safety services within a county. An as-yet unfiled House bill requires collection of DNA from all felons in state and county corrections facilities, including those incarcerated prior to the effective date of the bill. A local government fiscal note is being prepared. Two other as-yet unfiled Senate bills directs the Office of Public Defense (OPD) to administer and distribute funds for indigent defense in dependency and termination cases. This responsibility cost counties approximate $5 million last year. These bills have garnered sponsorship from numerous Senators. The total funding amount will be determined in the Ways and Means process. ************************************** COUNTY NEWS ************************************** MILEAGE RATES CHANGE The mileage rate reimbursement for jurors and expert witnesses has been increased by the Office of Financial Management to 32.5 cents per mile and is retroactive to January 1, 2000. The rate increase is to be consistent with the mileage rates set by the Internal Revenue Service. Traditionally, OFM set the rates in July but are now implementing them when notified. Counties have the ability to set reimbursement rates for county employees. ************************************** PRIMARY ELECTION DATE The House State Government Committee met Tuesday and heard a report by the statutorily created task force directed to look at feasibility of moving the state primary election date. Gary McIntosh, state election director and chair of the committee briefed lawmakers on the recommendations that the task force compiled. The task force recommended moving the date of the primary election to the second Tuesday in June. However, moving the primary to that date, would require amending a portion of Initiative 134, or better known as the Fair Campaign Practices Act. The affected section prohibits a candidate from receiving or soliciting any campaign contributions thirty days after the final adjournment of a legislative session or during the dates of a special legislative session. Moving to a June primary would bump up against this provision. It was suggested by some committee members that an August primary might be better in which the primary could even be done entirely by mail. Gary McIntosh noted that an August date was also discussed during the task force meetings. Senator Georgia Gardner (D-Whatcom County) will probably introduce a bill this legislative session that incorporates the suggested changes to the primary election date. The likely effective date of the bill will be in the year 2001. ************************************** STATE INVESTMENT BOARD SB 6271, a State Treasurers request bill, would increase the size of the State Investment Board by two members: one would be a representative of local government, appointed by the state treasurer, and the other would be an active member of the school employees' retirement system, appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Both appointments would be subject to confirmation by the Senate. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Commerce, Trade, Housing and financial Institutions Committee. ************************************** JOINT TASK FORCE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT The WACO/WAPA legislative recommendation, proposing a joint task force on local governments, has been introduced in the House of Representatives as HB 2392. The task force would study the delivery of government services and allotment of revenue, develop recommendations, and introduce legislation incorporating the recommendations. The bill sponsored by Representative Doumit, has been referred to the Committee on Local Government and has been scheduled for hearing on Thursday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. Please contact committee members in support. ************************************** QUICK NOTES FOR COUNTY CLERKS Copies of WSACC's priority bills, along with legislative information will be mailed tomorrow. If you have questions before this packet arrives, e-mail or call WACO. SB 6154, Credit Cards, was heard January 12 in the State and Local Government Committee. Thurston County Clerk Betty Gould was on hand to testify and field questions. The Committee appears to be supportive of SB 6154 and could conduct an executive session to move bills out of committee as early as Monday afternoon. Please contact committee members as soon as possible (e-mail or faxes are great), thank them for the hearing, and urge them to pass SB 6154 out of committee. SB 6155, Removing Social Security Numbers from Dissolution Pleadings, has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. With a little urging, it appears likely Chair Senator Mike Heavey will give it a hearing. Please help with a little urging. Fax him at (360) 786-1999. HB 2328, Anti-harassment Filing Fees, and HB 2329, Judgment Summaries and Real Property Descriptions, will both be heard next Tuesday, January 18, at 1:30 p.m. in House Judiciary Committee. Please contact Representatives Constantine and Carrell and House Judiciary Members to urge their support. Other bills of interest SB 6243, Confirming restitution is paid to a dead victim's estate; SB 6244, Extending juvenile court jurisdiction past the 18th birthday for enforcing penalty assessments.; SB 6246, making crime victim penalties retroactive to June 6, 1996. ************************************** COURT REFORM 2000 Justice Phil Talmadge's proposal to restructure courts and create a state marshal's office was heard in the House Judiciary Committee this morning. The Senate version, SB 6191, will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee Friday, January 21, at 8:00 a.m. Kitsap County Clerk Dean Logan and Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton testified for the county organizations and informed the committee of their promises in December to Chief Justice Guy and Senator Valoria Loveland to continue work on resolution of problems in the courts. There was no testimony specifically supporting the proposal. ************************************** CORONERS, MEDICAL EXAMINERS, PROSECUTORS AND SHERIFFS HB 2330, a housekeeping measure following last year's merger of the State Toxicology Laboratory and WSP Crime Laboratory, will be heard in the House Appropriations Committee next Thursday, January 20, at 3:30 p.m. HB 2330 provides payment of liquor revolving funds monies (formerly Class H license money) in the amount of $300,000 a biennium be paid into the Death Investigations to support the Tox Lab instead of being paid through the State Patrol. This is not new money so let members of House Appropriations know that. Please contact Representatives Huff and Sommers and your members on the House Appropriations Committee to enlist their support of HB 2330. ************************************** OTHER WACO PRIORITY BILLS HB 2337, Ordering implementation of a statewide jail booking and reporting system, is set for Tuesday, January 18, at 10:00 a.m. in the House Justice and Corrections Committee. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) is the lead for HB 2337 but WACO will there in full support. Sheriffs are urged to contact House Justice and Corrections Committee members to ask their support. ************************************** SURVEYS.......SURVEYS........ SURVEYS The coroners and medical examiners in 22 counties report that $227,587.00 is being spent to dispose of indigent unclaimed remains. Thank you for the responses! County sheriffs and jail administrators deserve WACO thanks too. They are supplying dollar amounts to attach to costs associated with health care treatment in jails and the costs of housing misdemeanant offenders who were arrested by the state. Some counties do not track prisoners by the charging agency but all the information you can give us is appreciated. The survey results are being provided to the Washington State Association of Counties in order to identify the cost of state mandates. ************************************** OKANOGAN THREATENS TO SUE DNR OVER LOOMIS FOREST LAND TRANSFER The Department of Natural Resources held a hearing December 29th in Tonasket to take comments on the transfer of 24,700 acres of Loomis State Forest into conservation status. In attendance were more than 250 people. Most of these people were against the transfer and citing many problems with the way DNR was going about the process. "We will file a suit and set it back one year," county commissioner Ed Thiele said at the public hearing. Also at the hearing, State Senator Bob Morton said the DNR failed to illustrate all of the proper boundaries at the meeting and failed to meet state law on land transactions and appraisals. " I find this sale to be null and void, since it wasn't within 90 days," said Morton, followed by loud applause. If the lawsuit moves forward there will be a follow up article, so stay tuned. ************************************** LEGISLATIVE RALLY ************************************** ALL COUNTY OFFICIALS INVITED TO LEGISLATIVE RALLY All members of WSAC and WACO are urged to attend the 2000 WSAC Legislative Rally scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2000 in Olympia at the Ramada Inn Governor House. If you have not made your room reservations or sent in your registration please do so immediately. Because we will now have few counties hosting dinners with their legislators, the Association has invited all members of the Legislature to a reception on Thursday, January 27th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. We want to encourage you to personally call and invite your legislators. The Association will also be sending an invitation. The rally will start in the Ramada Inn at 11:30 with a briefing on the latest legislative developments. Then at noon lunch will be served and the Co-Speakers of the House, Representative Clyde Ballard and Representative Frank Chopp will speak. After lunch you are encouraged to make appointments with your legislators or attend committee hearings. The Timber Counties will hold a meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Washington Counties Building. The reception will be held at 5:30 in the Ramada Inn. Friday, January 28th the Legislative Steering Committee will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. The Rural Issues Subcommittee will meet at 9:00 a.m. and there will be a Transportation Subcommittee meeting at 9:30. An agenda is attached. ************************************** MEETINGS & CONFERENCES ************************************** ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES (ACHS) MEETS IN OLYMPIA The Association of County Human Services (ACHS) will be meeting in Olympia from January 19 - 21. The Wednesday meeting of the Mental Health Section will be held at the Ramada Inn and the Thursday and Friday meeting of Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities respectively will be at the Counties' building. Please don't use Thurston County's map to find the Counties' building or you end up at US West. We area located one block north off of Union Street and one block east off Capitol Way on 10th and Washington. This is exactly parallel with the Aladdin motel but sits kitty korner on the block. There is either street parking or park directly behind the Counties' building. The Mental Health Section as noted meets Wednesday. It will begin with a joint meeting with the Community Mental Health Council to discuss our respective legislative agenda and the development of a packet of system accomplishments. The balance of the meeting from about 11:30 on will include discussions about the waiver implementation, inpatient issues, dangerous mentally ill implementation, expansion kids, out-of-county foster kids, ombuds/QRT issues, and hospital data reports. At the close of the day, the westside RSNs will meet with Western State Hospital representatives. Thursday will include a business meeting beginning at 11:30 and probably lasting only « hour. No lunch is planned by Thurston County and we will be on our own. There will be a discussion by the members of ACHS membership qualifications. Both before and after the business meeting will be the Chemical Dependency Section. CD's agenda includes the usual workgroup reports, a certain to be interesting presentation "Bridging the Gap: Research to Practice" from Norma Jaeger, King County, workgroup assignments, a legislative update from WSAC staff, a look at detox, and the headquarters report. On Friday, the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Section will meet. There will be workgroup reports here as well with a couple of new items including the Adult Protective Services group and a Technical Assistance workgroup. Dave Daniels, the Budget Director for DVR will be present in the afternoon for a joint look at county/DVR issues and headquarters staff will arrive to discuss some joint DDD/county issues including the Governor's supplemental budget and community protection. If you have any questions about agenda items, please contact the respective section leaders. If you have logistical questions, please contact Mark Freedman of Thurston County at (360) 786-5585. Please take the opportunity while you are here to schedule appointments with your legislators if you are able. This is a great chance to visit with your own legislator and inform them about some of the human services issues and concerns in their home county. It is important that backfilling the impacts of I-695 not negatively impact other services counties' provide in mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. If you have any questions about visits with legislators, please don't hesitate to call WSAC staff, Jean Wessman at (360) 753-1886 or e-mail, jwessman@wacounties.org. ************************************** NACO NEWS ************************************** SUBMIT YOUR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO NACO'S 31ST ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PROGRAM Applications for the National Association of Counties' 2000 Achievement Award Program are now available. Begun in 1970, the annual Achievement Award Program is a non-competitive awards program, which seeks to recognize innovative county government programs. In 1999, 118 counties from 28 states were recognized by NACo for developing and implementing responsible, responsive, and effective county government programs. The winning Achievement Award programs constitute a vast source of information, which provides counties with the ability to share their positive and effective programs with other counties nationwide. Last year NACo also awarded 15 Best of Category awards for the most outstanding programs in thirteen categories. County governments, as well as State Associations of Counties, may submit entries for consideration in any of the following categories: arts and historic preservation; children and youth; civic education and public information; community/economic development; county administration and management; court administration and management; criminal justice and public safety; emergency management and response; employment and training; environmental protection and energy; fiscal management; health, human services; information technology; libraries; parks and recreation; personnel management, employee training, and employee benefits; planning; risk management; transportation; and volunteers. There are several ways to obtain a 2000 application. You may download the application from NACo's homepage, www.naco.org, call the Achievement Award Hotline, 202-942-4280 or fax your request to 202-737- 0480. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday, February 18, 2000. ************************************** JOBS ************************************** OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER - SPOKANE COUNTY. Outstanding opportunity for a computer/technology advanced real-time Court Reporter in Spokane County Superior Court. Work very closely as a member of the departmental team with the judge, bailiff and clerk. Requires 3 years experience, must meet reporting and transcription wpm requirements. CSR required, RPR and real-time experience preferred, $22.46/hr. plus excellent benefits. Closes 2/4/00, 5 PM., no postmarks accepted. For application information contact Spokane County Human Resources, 1229 West Mallon, Spokane, WA 99260, (509) 477-5750, TDD www.spokanecounty.org; Equal Opportunity Employer ****** HUMAN RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVE I OR II, DOQ, WHATCOM COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES, Bellingham, WA. Hiring range: HR Representative I, $31,872- $34,440/yr., DOQ, or HR Representative II, $37,728-$40,764/yr., DOQ. Requires a Bachelor's degree and 2 to 4 years experience. Consults as an HR Generalist to assigned departments. Excellent benefits. Closes 1/31/00. Required application packet available @ (360) 676-6802, M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Call Job Line: (360) 738-4550 or visit our website: www.co.whatcom.wa.us for details. Equal Opportunity Employer. **** END ****