H-1273              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1131

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives West, Dellwo, Day, Lewis, Barrett, Miller, Chandler, Braddock, Tanner, Silver, Crane and Bond

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on State Government. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means 2/25/85.

AN ACT Relating to members of the legislature; adding a new section to chapter 44.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds and declares that communication between members of the legislature and their constituents is essential for effective representation and that travel by the members to their districts during legislative sessions is the best way for members to keep informed of the issues and concerns of the people they represent.  Therefore, in order to promote proper communication between members and their constituents, the legislature finds it necessary to reimburse members for travel from Olympia to their districts during legislative sessions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 44.04 RCW to read as follows:

          The members of the legislature shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel from Olympia to their districts during the course of sessions under the following terms and conditions:

          (1) During each regular legislative session during odd-numbered year, five trips from Olympia to a member's district and back are authorized.

          (2) During each regular legislative session during even-numbered years, three trips from Olympia to a member's district and back are authorized.

          (3) During special sessions of the legislature, one trip from Olympia to a member's district and back is authorized.