Committee unanimously advances substitute bill to align homelessness data collection with state system

The House Housing Committee voted by voice to report Proposed Substitute House Bill 1899 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation; the clerk recorded a 17-0 tally.

Representative Zahn, the sponsor, said the substitute was drafted at the request of the Department of Commerce to allow Commerce to align statutory language with the Homeless Client Management Information System. "Instead of only cleaning up related to HUD for the point in time count, that we actually, create the language so that commerce is able to align it consistent with the homeless client management information system so that we are not just cleaning up the point in time to every other year, but really making it meaningful for commerce to be able to do their work related to, the homelessness count and the information system," Zahn said.

Representative Engel said the committee agreed with the bill and that it would save county governments money and improve efficiency, and urged a yes vote. The committee proceeded to an expedited voice vote; the clerk announced 17 ayes, 0 nays.

By the committee vote, Proposed Substitute House Bill 1899 is reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

The transcript excerpt does not include the substitute bill text or implementation detail beyond the sponsor's explanation that the change is meant to align statutory language with the state's homeless client management information system and to affect point-in-time reporting practices. The Department of Commerce requested the substitute language, according to the sponsor's remarks.