Below are some interesting provisos in the supplemental operating budget bill. Many of them require studies, which could result in legislative action down the road. (Amounts shown are from all funds.)

Human Services Vendor Rates:

• $800,000 for a behavioral health comparison rate study, to establish benchmark payment rates reflecting the cost of providing services. A preliminary report is due June 30, 2023. (Sec. 215(98))
• $600,000 to make recommendations on an alternative payment model for comprehensive community behavioral health services. The report is due Dec. 31, 2022. (Sec. 215(106))
• A study (by Oct. 1, 2022) of the current rate structure for supported employment and community inclusion providers. (Sec. 203(1)(ff))
• $40,000 for a report (due by Dec. 1, 2022) on vendor rates for services for low-income individuals, to include a comparison of rate increases to inflation. (Sec. 130(15))

Health Care:

• $20,000 for a study on student access to health care at Washington’s public higher education institutions. (Sec. 130(20))
• $80,000 for a pilot program at one or two community or technical colleges to help students access health care coverage (Sec. 602(49))
• $80,000 for a pilot program at one or two four-year colleges or universities to help students access health care coverage (Sec. 609(15))
• $200,000 for an actuarial study (due by Nov. 15, 2022) on options for consumer protections and access to coverage for Medicare supplemental insurance. (Sec. 139(9))
• $75,000 to study (by Nov. 1, 2022) “the cost and benefit of adopting available options to expand Medicare savings programs and classic Medicaid programs.” (Sec. 208(7))
• The Health Care Authority must develop state Medicaid plan amendments “in anticipation of providing” adult acupuncture and chiropractic benefits. (Sec. 211(94) and (95))
• $200,000 for a report on psilocybin services, to include an assessment of the effect Oregon’s proposed rules or Washington’s SB 5660 would have in Washington. A final report is due by Dec. 1, 2023. (Sec. 211(99)) (SB 5660 was introduced this year but wasn’t passed by either the House or Senate.)
• $100,000 for a study of how transportation issues contribute to involuntary treatment access barriers, including whether current transportation rates are too low. A report is due Dec. 31, 2022. (Sec. 215(101))
• $50,000 for a study of challenges to receiving behavioral health services in rural areas. Recommendations on short term access improvements are due by Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 215(110))

Housing and Land Use:

• $250,000 for an evaluation of the costs for local governments to review their comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act. It is due by Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 128(194))
• $7.5 million for grants to cities adopting ordinances that authorize middle housing on at least 30% of lots that are currently zoned as single family. (Sec. 128(189))
• $30,000 for Western Washington University to review how existing homeowners’ associations restrict accessory dwelling units and the effect on housing supply. A report is due by June 30, 2023. (Sec. 608(24))
• $140,000 for a survey of foreclosure trustees in Washington from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019. A report on the survey and the regulation of foreclosure trustees is due Jan. 1, 2023. (Sec. 152)
• $65,000 for a report on projected demand for permanent supportive housing. Due Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 208(9))
• $8.0 million for low- and no-barrier housing programs, using a housing first model. “Housing supports and services shall be made available with no requirement for treatment for their behavioral health condition and must be individualized to the needs of the individual.” A preliminary report on the program is due by Dec. 31, 2022. (Sec. 215(96))

Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy:

• The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must conduct performance audits “to address the needs of farmworkers.” They must audit the Department of Labor & Industries (wage and hour laws, workplace health and safety, laws prohibiting harassment), the Employment Security Department (H-2A program), and Department of Health (pesticide safety). (Sec. 103(6))
• $62,000 for the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to study specific needs of farmworkers to help determine if those needs are being met by state programs and laws. The proviso states that it is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional funding in 2023–25 so the report may be completed by June 30, 2025. (Sec. 607(4)(o))
• $375,000 to finish (by July 30, 2022) an analysis “on options to replace the benefits of the four lower Snake river dams.” (Sec. 117(10))
• $250,000 to analyze the possible removal of the Enloe dam (on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County). A report is due by Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 308(66))
• $400,000 to evaluate the reliability and resilience of Washington’s electric grid, based on current and projected energy production, changes in demand, and the impact of the information technology sector. Recommendations are due by Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 128(235))
• $100,000 for a study of utility liability insurance (due by June 1, 2023). (Sec. 139(15))
• $150,000 to study the amount of packaging and paper products sold in Washington and their recycling rates. The study is due by Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 302(59))
• $256,000 for the Department of Fish and Wildlife to report by Dec. 1, 2022 on how to incorporate a net ecological gain standard into state land use, development, and environmental laws and rules. (Sec. 308(56))

Elections and Voting:

• $2.5 million “to support voter registration and voting within county jails.” (Sec. 120(20))
• $250,000 for the Secretary of State to contract with the UW Evans School to review ballot rejection rates and report by Oct. 15, 2022. (Sec. 120(22))
• $89,000 for UW to establish a public, online data repository (including of population by election precinct, election results, voter registration lists, boundary maps, ballot rejection lists) to help in evaluating existing voting laws and investigating infringements on the right to vote. (Sec. 603(75))

Other:

• $750,000 for a lifeline support system pilot project to help people at risk of entering public systems of care. A report (due by June 30, 2023) must include recommendations for how the program could be made permanent. (Sec. 128(157))
• $116,000 for WSIPP to study the nature and scope of the underground economy, including recommendations on policy changes to address the underground economy in the construction industry. The study is due Dec. 1, 2022. (Sec. 607(4)(p))
• $80,000 for the Office of Equity to “provide technical assistance to state agencies on best practices on how to engage communities regarding equity and inclusion when creating equitable budget and policy recommendations.” (Sec. 117(9))
• $461,000 for a poverty reduction technical advisory group to develop a statewide measurement and data framework to inform future budget decisions. (Sec. 208(6))
• $300,000 for the Department of Commerce to report by June 30, 2023 how it will collect demographic and geographic information from organizations that receive grants. (Sec. 128(216))
• $125,000 to study state and local responses to acts of domestic terrorism by Dec. 15, 2022. (Sec. 126(38))

(Previous posts on the supplemental budget are here.)