HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  SB 5402

Title: An act relating to the forest practices appeals board.

Brief Description:  Concerning the compensation of the forest practices appeals board.

Sponsors: Senator Haugen.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Meeting Date: March 30, 1999.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Bill Lynch, Counsel  (786-7092)

Background: During the 1997 legislative session, RCW 76.09.220 was amended twice in slightly different ways without reference to each other.  The Code Reviser will frequently merge the two amendments into the code.  However, if there is a question about how the two sections should be merged into a single section, the Code Reviser will include both legislative changes as part of the code until the multiple sections are reconciled.

The provisions which conflict pertain to the compensation of members of the Forest Practices Appeals Board.  One section reimbursed the members of the board in accordance with class three groups; the other section reimbursed members of the boards in accordance with class four groups.   A class three group for purposes of compensation has rule-making authority, performs quasi-judicial functions,  has responsibility for the administration or policy direction of a state agency, and is reimbursed at a rate not to exceed $50 per day during which duties are performed.  A class four group has similar responsibilities, but in addition, has duties which are considered by the Legislature to be of overriding sensitivity and importance to the public and requires service of its members normally in excess of 100 hours of meeting time per year.  A class four group is reimbursed at a rate not to exceed $100 per day during which duties are performed.

Summary of Bill: RCW 76.09.220 is re-enacted to resolve differences between Chapter 290, Section 5, Laws of 1997 and Chapter 423, Section 2, Laws of 1997 and eliminate the Adouble code amendment.@  Members of the Forest Practices Appeals Board are reimbursed as members of a class four group, which is at a rate not to exceed $100 per day during which duties are performed.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Not requested.

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

Passed Senate:3/13/99, 48-0.