S-5904.5

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8412

BySenators Das, Sheldon, Kuderer, Wilson, C., Darneille, Lovelett, Saldaña, Nguyen, Hasegawa, Billig, Mullet, Takko, Keiser, Rolfes, Hunt, Salomon, Conway, Stanford, Frockt, Hobbs, Liias, Van De Wege, Randall, Carlyle, Holy, Braun, Hawkins, Dhingra, Pedersen, and Wellman

WHEREAS, It is the intent of the legislature to modernize its operations in a manner that removes barriers and enhances accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity, and therefore results in a more representative government and robust democracy; and

WHEREAS, The legislature seeks to continuously evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all legislative operations; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the legislature seeks to increase public participation; enact high quality legislation; recruit, retain, and invest in professional staff; and maintain the highest ethical standards; and

WHEREAS, For these reasons, the legislature hereby establishes a joint select committee on the modernization of the Washington state legislature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That:

(1) The joint select committee on the modernization of the Washington state legislature is established, with twelve voting members and seventeen nonvoting members as provided in this subsection.

(a) The leaders of the two largest caucuses in the senate shall each appoint three voting members from their respective caucuses. The appointed members must include:

(i) One member of the facilities and operations committee from each caucus;

(ii) One member of the ways and means committee from each caucus; and

(iii) One member of the state government, tribal relations and elections committee from each caucus.

(b) The leaders of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives shall each appoint three voting members from their respective caucuses. The appointed members must include:

(i) One member of the executive rules committee from each caucus;

(ii) One member of the appropriations committee from each caucus; and

(iii) One member of the state government and tribal relations committee from each caucus.

(c) The nonvoting members of the committee are:

(i) A representative of the office of the lieutenant governor;

(ii) The secretary of the senate or the secretary's designee;

(iii) The chief clerk of the house of representatives or the chief clerk's designee;

(iv) The chiefs of staff from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate;

(v) The chiefs of staff from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives;

(vi) The staff director for senate committee services;

(vii) The staff director for the house office of program research;

(viii) Two representatives of legislative assistants from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate; and

(ix) Two representatives of legislative assistants from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives.

(2) The leaders of the largest caucuses in the senate and in the house of representatives shall designate two of the voting members as chairs of the committee, and the leaders of the second-largest caucuses in the senate and in the house of representatives shall designate two of the voting members as vice chairs of the committee.

(3) The directors of legislative agencies shall cooperate with the committee and provide information to the committee as the chairs may reasonably request. Human resources staff from the senate and house of representatives shall be available to provide technical assistance to the committee in developing best practices for legislative modernization.

(4) The committee shall study, convene work sessions, seek public comment, make findings, and develop recommendations on modernizing the Washington state legislature.

(a) The work sessions must include reports to the committee on policies and programs to provide opportunities for remote testimony during public hearings. The work sessions may also include reports from staff not formally represented on the committee, such as legal counsel for the senate and the house of representatives, and staff in accounting, cafeteria service, civic education, and security.

(b) The recommendations must address:

(i) Rules to promote a more modern and efficient Washington state legislature;

(ii) Procedures, including the schedule and calendar;

(iii) Policies to develop the next generation of leaders;

(iv) Staff recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits;

(v) Administrative efficiencies, including purchasing, travel, outside services, and shared administrative staff;

(vi) Technology and innovation;

(vii) Other topics agreed upon by the chairs and vice chairs of the committee; and

(viii) The use of an equity tool.

(5) The house of representatives and the senate shall enter into an agreement with the Washington state institute for public policy to provide staff support for the committee. Pursuant to the agreement, and if an appropriation is specifically provided for this purpose, the department may contract with additional persons who have expertise in mediation or facilitation to carry out the mandates of this committee.

(6) Legislative members of the committee are reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.

(7) The expenses of the committee must be paid jointly by the house of representatives and the senate. Committee expenditures are subject to approval by the house of representatives executive rules committee and the senate facilities and operations committee.

(8) The committee shall provide quarterly status reports, including minutes of proceedings, reports of expenditures, and proposed plans for committee activities, to the house of representatives executive rules committee and the senate facilities and operations committee by September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2021. The committee shall submit a final report, including the results of studies, detailed findings, best practices, and any policy recommendations, to the house of representatives executive rules committee and the senate facilities and operations committee by June 30, 2021.

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