SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5709

                    As of February 15, 1995

Title:  An act relating to administrative rule making.

Brief Description:  Restricting the duration of the statutory authority of agencies to adopt rules.

Sponsors:  Senators Hochstatter, Morton, Schow, Swecker, Oke, Owen, Wood, Haugen, Long, Winsley, Strannigan, Johnson, McDonald, Cantu, Palmer, Finkbeiner, Moyer, Sellar, A. Anderson, West, Deccio and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/15/95, 2/16/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  Agency authority to promulgate rules is derived solely from statute.  Agencies may choose any applicable statute now existing as authority for rule making.

Summary of Bill:  An agency's statutory authority to adopt rules expires two years after the effective date of the statute or two years after the effective date of this act, whichever is later.

After the agency's statutory rule-making authority expires, the agency may not adopt rules until its rule-making authority has been reauthorized by law.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.