HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE May 1, 1997 1:55 P.M. TAPE HFC 97-119, Side 1, #000 - #394. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Therriault called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:55 PRESENT Co-Chair Therriault Representative Kohring Representative Davies Representative Martin Representative Davis Representative Moses Representative Foster Representative Grussendorf Representative Kelly Co-Chair Hanley and Representative Mulder were absent from the meeting. ALSO PRESENT Paula Haley, Executive Director, Human Rights Commission, Department of Administration. SUMMARY HB 155 "An Act relating to hearings before and authorizing fees for the State Commission for Human Rights; and providing for an effective date." HB 155 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. HOUSE BILL NO. 155 "An Act relating to hearings before and authorizing fees for the State Commission for Human Rights; and providing for an effective date." PAULA HALEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STATE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS testified via the teleconference network in support of HB 155. She observed that the legislation is in response to an increased demand for the Commission's services, in the wake of diminishing resources. She noted that complaints with the Commission have tripled over the last 15 years. 1 During the same time, the Commission has lost 35 percent of their staff. As a result, despite increased efficiencies, their case inventory has reached an all time high. She acknowledged that seeking additional resources alone is not enough. The Commission has revised internal procedures, amended regulations, and proposed legislation to reduce costs. She noted that HB 155 would allow the Commission to charge fees for educational services. The legislation would also allow the Commission to hold hearings at the Commission's office and to record, instead of transcribe, hearings. Any savings would be used to pay overtime for investigative staff and, as funding is available, to hire temporary staff. The Commission hopes the additional funding will help alleviate the backlog of cases. There are approximately 340 unassigned cases. Co-Chair Therriault noted that the Senate adopted an amendment pertaining to the fee. He observed that there was some concern that the Commission would charge a fee for access. He stressed that it is clear that the Commission would only charge a fee in exchange for providing educational services to private organizations and groups. He noted that the intent is that the Commission recoup their costs for providing training and seminars. Ms. Haley observed that providing prevention and education services takes a considerable amount of time. She stated that she performs most of the training. Training is provided to the legislature and private business, upon request, when Ms. Haley is available. She stressed that people have offered to pay for these services. The Commission has been unable to accept fees due to a lack of legislative authorization. She maintained that the Commission should be able to be charge in order to offset the diversion of limited resources from enforcement. She estimated that the Commission may recoup $2 - $5 thousand dollars a year through fees. In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Haley noted that both the House and Senate expressed concern that the original legislation contained a broad fee provision. Both bodies created committee substitutes that inserted "educational". She suggested that the Senate floor amendment may have been adopted without the understanding that "educational" had been inserted. Representative Davies observed that legislative counsel indicated that there may be a problem with the title of CSHB 155 (STA). He noted that the use of "authorizing" may suggest that the Legislature is confirming specific fees. Legislative counsel recommended that "authorizing" be deleted. He suggested that "fees for" be deleted and "to 2 establish certain fees" be added in the title. In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Haley noted that fees would have to be established in regulation. She anticipated that fees would be on a sliding scale depending on the service. She noted that the fees would reflect the market value. She observed that she cannot respond to all of the requests for training. Representative Grussendorf noted that the title is not included in statute. Representative Davis observed that the Senate title is okay. Representative Davies MOVED to delete "fees for" on page 1, line 1 and delete "to establish certain fees" on page 1, line 2. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 155 was HELD in Committee for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. 3