Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2442

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning electronic salary and wage payments by counties.

Sponsors: Representatives Moscoso, Robinson, Ryu, Tarleton, Stanford and Tharinger.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes counties, if they are disbursing employee salaries and wages electronically in accordance with written requests from 25 or more employees, to use an electronic payment method for all county employees.

  • Specifies that the use of an electronic payment method for all county employees must be approved, by ordinance, by the county legislative authority.

Hearing Date: 1/27/14

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

With limited exceptions, a state office or a political subdivision of the state, including counties and cities, may pay salaries or wages directly to the financial institutions of their employees if at least 25 of their employees have requested, in writing, to receive compensation in this manner.

Legislation adopted in 2013 (Senate Bill 5770, enacted as ch. 164 Laws of 2013) enabled conservation districts to, on their own initiative, deposit salaries, wages, and other approved financial reimbursements of employees and contractors in the financial institutions of the employees and contractors.

Summary of Bill:

Counties, if they are disbursing employee salaries and wages electronically in accordance with received written requests from 25 or more employees, may elect to use an electronic payment method for all employees. The use of an electronic payment method for all employees must be approved, by ordinance, by the county legislative authority.

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.