Committee passes bill to help disabled people save

OLYMPIA — The Early Learning and Human Services Committee voted Tuesday in favor of creating an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program in Washington state.

The bill, HB 2323, moved through the committee with a vote of 10-1. The ABLE Act would allow individuals with disabilities to create a tax-free savings account. The money from the account would be used to cover only qualified expenses, such as education, housing or transportation.

Under the current Supplemental Security Income program, individuals with disabilities are only eligible if they report no more than $2000 in savings.

“This bill really is about giving families choice and an opportunity to plan, and an economic pathway for one of self-sufficiency,” said Rep. Christine Kilduff, D-University Place, the primary sponsor.

Many committee members raised concerns about the fiscal note. The estimated fiscal impact is expected to grow over the next six years with the administrative costs of starting the program.

Kilduff said the goal is for the program to be self-sufficient eventually. She also said the fiscal aspect of the bill could be altered in the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is in favor of the bill.

“This is good policy, and it’s something we need in our society,” Dent said. However, he also voiced concern over the fiscal impact.

“We need to be very responsible. It’s not our money; it belongs to our taxpayers, our constituents,” he said.

Rep. Elizabeth Scott, R-Monroe, voted against the bill. She said the fiscal impact is too high at this time, and she does not feel the bill is ready. However, she said she wants to continue discussing the bill.

“I look forward to looking at how this evolves in the future,” Scott said.

Dent will have the opportunity to evaluate this bill again in the Appropriations committee.

“Fortunately, I’m on Appropriations so I’ll get another crack at this, and hopefully this will work out.”