05/12/2002 01:50 PM Senate RLS

The  committee  took  up  CSHB  332(FIN)-DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE/SEXUAL                                                          
ASSAULT COUNCIL.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. PATTI  SWENSON, staff  to Representative  Bunde, told  members                                                              
that the Senate  Finance Committee added a technical  amendment to                                                              
this  bill  that allows  a  transition  period until  the  present                                                              
employee contracts  expire next  July (Section  4). At  that time,                                                              
all of  the positions within the  Council will become  exempt. The                                                              
fiscal  notes reflect  what  will  happen if  the  Council is  not                                                              
extended:  the  duties  of  the Council  will  be  distributed  to                                                              
agencies throughout state government.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR THERRIAULT said that normally  a fiscal note reflects what                                                              
will happen if the bill passes.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. SWENSON said she also questioned  the fiscal note but was told                                                              
this is the normal process for an extension.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR THERRIAULT indicated that  the fiscal note does state that                                                              
the costs of the Council are already in the budget.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS asked if anyone  in the Senate Finance Committee                                                              
was opposed to this measure.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SWENSON said  not that  she  recalls. She  repeated that  the                                                              
costs  are already  contained in  the  budget so  the fiscal  note                                                              
reflects the costs  to other state agencies if the  Council is not                                                              
extended.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR   ELLIS  moved   to  calendar   CSHB   332(FIN)  and   its                                                              
accompanying fiscal  notes with individual recommendations  at the                                                              
Chairman's discretion.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN  PHILLIPS announced  that without  objection, the  motion                                                              
carried.