HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1670
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Relations
Title: An act relating to the appointment process for the chairperson and vice chairperson of the joint administrative rules review committee.
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 History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 1/12/22, 1/19/22 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Modifies the appointment process for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Valdez, Chair; Lekanoff, Vice Chair; Volz, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dolan, Graham and Gregerson.
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) 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 JARRC (Chair) and Vice Chair of the JARRC (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 alternating even-numbered years.

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

The appointment process for the Chair and Vice Chair is modified such that the Chair and Vice Chair may not be from the same chamber of the Legislature during a given term.  Specifically, appointments must be made as follows: 

  • 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 Chair and Vice Chair may not be from the same caucus. When making appointments to the position of Chair and Vice Chair, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate must appoint members that reflect diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, geographic region, and urban and rural representation.


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.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

When making appointments to the position of Chair and Vice Chair, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate must appoint members that reflect diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, geographic region, and urban and rural representation.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The voices of all members are equally important and this change provides a more fair structure.  The structure also better represents the working relationship of the committee.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative My-Linh Thai, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.