Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 1670
Brief Description: Concerning the appointment process for the chairperson and vice chairperson of the joint administrative rules review committee.
Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Goehner, Callan, Ramos and Harris-Talley.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the appointment process for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee.
Hearing Date: 1/12/22
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee is a bipartisan legislative committee that reviews selected proposed and existing agency rules.  Membership of the committee consists of four members from the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, four members from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and one alternate member from each caucus of each house.
 

Appointments for Chair of the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (Chair) and Vice Chair of the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (Vice Chair) are made from among the committee membership as soon as possible after a legislative session convenes in regular session in an even-numbered year.  The appointments are made on an alternating basis.  Beginning in the year 2018 the Speaker of the House appoints the Chair and Vice Chair in alternating even-numbered years.  Beginning in 2020 the Secretary of the Senate appoints the Chair and Vice Chair in alternative even-numbered years.
 

A vacancy must be filled by appointment of a legislator from the same political party as the original appointment.

Summary of Bill:

The Chair position must alternate between the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives every two years.  The Chair and Vice Chair may not be from the same house or caucus.
 
The appointment process for the Chair and Vice Chair is modified such that:

  • beginning in 2022, and in alternating even-numbered years thereafter, the Speaker of the House appoints the Chair and the President of the Senate appoints the Vice Chair; and
  • beginning in 2024, and in alternating even-numbered years thereafter, the President of the Senate appoints the Chair and the Speaker of the House appoints the Vice Chair.

 
The vacancy process is clarified to specify that a vacancy of the Chair or Vice Chair position must be filled by appointment of a legislator from the same political party as the original appointment.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.