05/05/1998 03:40 PM Senate STA

Number 275                                                                     
                                                                               
     CSHB 353(HES) am - ADOPTION BY REFERENCE IN REGULATIONS                   
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN GREEN introduced CSHB 353(HES) am as the next order of                
business.                                                                      
                                                                               
BRUCE CAMPBELL, staff to Representative Pete Kelly who is the prime            
sponsor of HB 353, explained the legislation allows the Department             
of Health and Social Services to adopt within its regulations                  
standards set out in federal or state law or regulation, or the                
specific national standards, without adopting a new regulation                 
every time that these standards are changed.  Currently, any time              
manuals are changed the state agency must adopt a new regulation               
adopting the citation change, and as the regulation adoption                   
process is so lengthy, it is impossible for a state agency to                  
remain current with standards adopted by reference.                            
                                                                               
Mr. Campbell noted that this legislation applies only to the                   
Department of Health and Social Services.                                      
                                                                               
There being no further testimony on HB 353, CHAIRMAN GREEN asked               
for the pleasure of the committee.                                             
                                                                               
SENATOR MILLER moved CSHB 353(HES) and the accompanying zero fiscal            
note be passed out of committee with individual recommendations.               
Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.