Enabling Legislation
CHAPTER 43.88C RCW
CASELOAD FORECAST COUNCIL
Caseload forecast council--Caseload forecast
supervisor--Oversight and approval of official
caseload forecast--Alternative forecast--Travel
reimbursement--Definitions.
43.88C.020 Preparation and submittal of caseload forecasts--
Cooperation of state agencies--Official state
caseload forecast.
43.88C.030Caseload forecast work group--Submittal of data by
state agencies--Meetings.
43.88C.900 Effective date--1997 c 168.
RCW 43.88C.010 Caseload forecast council--Caseload forecast supervisor--Oversight and approval of official caseload forecast--
Alternative forecast--Travel reimbursement--Definitions. (1) The
caseload forecast council is hereby created. The council shall
consist of two individuals appointed by the governor and four
individuals, one of whom is appointed by the chairperson of each
of the two largest political caucuses in the senate and house of
representatives. The chair of the council shall be selected from
among the four caucus appointees. The council may select such
other officers as the members deem necessary.
(2) The council shall employ a caseload forecast supervisor to
supervise the preparation of all caseload forecasts. As used in
this chapter, "supervisor" means the caseload forecast supervisor.
(3) Approval by an affirmative vote of at least five members
of the council is required for any decisions regarding employment
of the supervisor. Employment of the supervisor shall terminate
after each term of three years. At the end of the first year of
each three-year term the council shall consider extension of the
supervisor's term by one year. The council may fix the
compensation of the supervisor. The supervisor shall employ staff
sufficient to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(4) The caseload forecast council shall oversee the
preparation of and approve, by an affirmative vote of at least four
members, the official state caseload forecasts prepared under RCW
43.88C.020. If the council is unable to approve a forecast before
a date required in RCW 43.88C.020, the supervisor shall submit the
forecast without approval and the forecast shall have the same
effect as if approved by the council.
(5) A council member who does not cast an affirmative vote for
approval of the official caseload forecast may request, and the
supervisor shall provide, an alternative forecast based on
assumptions specified by the member.
(6) Members of the caseload forecast council shall serve
without additional compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel
expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120 while attending sessions
of the council or on official business authorized by the council.
Nonlegislative members of the council shall be reimbursed for
travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(7) "Caseload," as used in this chapter, means the number of
persons expected to meet entitlement requirements and require the
services of public assistance programs, state correctional
institutions, state correctional noninstitutional supervision,
state institutions for juvenile offenders, the common school system,
long-term care, Health and Recovery Services, foster care, and
adoption support.
(8) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the
definitions provided in RCW 43.88.020 apply to this chapter. [1997
c 168 § 1.]
RCW 43.88C.020 Preparation and submittal of caseload
forecasts--Cooperation of state agencies--Official state caseload
forecast. (1) In consultation with the caseload forecast work
group established under RCW 43.88C.030, and subject to the approval
of the caseload forecast council under RCW 43.88C.010, the
supervisor shall prepare:
(a) An official state caseload forecast; and
(b) Other caseload forecasts based on alternative assumptions
as the council may determine.
(2) The supervisor shall submit caseload forecasts prepared
under this section, along with any unofficial forecasts provided
under RCW 43.88C.010, to the governor and the members of the
legislative fiscal committees, including one copy to the staff of
each of the committees. The forecasts shall be submitted at least
three times each year and on such dates as the council determines
will facilitate the development of budget proposals by the governor
and the legislature.
(3) All agencies of state government shall provide to the
supervisor immediate access to all information relating to caseload
forecasts.
(4) The administrator of the legislative evaluation and
accountability program committee may request, and the supervisor
shall provide, alternative caseload forecasts based on assumptions
specified by the administrator.
(5) The official state caseload forecast under this section
shall be the basis of the governor's budget document as provided in
RCW 43.88.030 and utilized by the legislature in the development of
the omnibus biennial appropriations act. [1997 c 168 § 2.]
RCW 43.88C.030 Caseload forecast work group--Submittal of
data by state agencies--Meetings. (1) To promote the free flow of
information and to promote legislative and executive input in the
development of assumptions and preparation of forecasts, immediate
access to all information and statistical models relating to
caseload forecasts shall be available to the caseload forecast work
group, hereby created. Each state agency affected by caseloads
shall submit caseload reports and data to the council as soon as
the reports and data are available and shall provide to the council
and the supervisor such additional raw, program-level data or
information as may be necessary for discharge of their respective
duties.
(2) The caseload forecast work group shall consist of one
staff member selected by the executive head or chairperson of each
of the following agencies, programs, or committees:
(a) Office of financial management;
(b) Ways and means committee, or its successor, of the senate;
(c) Appropriations committee, or its successor, of the house
of representatives;
(d) Legislative evaluation and accountability program
committee; and
(e) Each state program for which the council forecasts the
caseload.
(3) The caseload forecast work group shall provide technical
support to the caseload forecast council. Meetings of the caseload
forecast work group may be called by any member of the group for
the purpose of assisting the council, reviewing forecasts, or for
any other purpose that may assist the council. [1997 c 168 § 3.]
RCW 43.88C.900 Effective date--1997 c 168. This act is
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace,
health, or safety, or support of the state government and its
existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1997. [1997
c 168 § 8.]
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