HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1823

BYRepresentatives Nutley and Allen

Authorizing regional planning commissions, regional planning councils, regional agencies, and councils of government to designate treasurers and auditors.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Beck, Bumgarner, Butterfield, Dorn, Ferguson, Hine, Jones, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Rayburn and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Regional planning commissions, conferences to study regional problems, and councils of governments can be created by local governments under various statutes.

County treasurers generally act in an ex-officio capacity as the treasurer of local governments, unless specified otherwise in the laws relating to the local government.

Moneys of a joint operation between local governments are deposited in the treasury of the largest geographic entity that is party to the joint operation, and are subject to the same audit and fiscal controls that apply to this entity, unless expressly provided to the contrary in law.

The county auditor issues warrants on the accounts or funds of a public entity unless expressly provided to the contrary in law.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A regional planning commission, regional agency created to study regional problems, or council of governments is authorized to appoint someone other than the county treasurer to act as its treasurer if authorized by the county treasurer.  The person so designated must have experience in financial or fiscal matters.  A designated treasurer acts for the entity in the same capacity as the county treasurer, and acts for the entity in the same capacity as the county auditor concerning financial matters.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The powers of the county auditor that are assumed by such a treasurer relate to financial matters for the entity.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Gil Mallery, Clark County Intergovernmental Resource Center.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We can pay our bills faster if we have our own treasurer. This is optional.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.