SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5523

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.

As of February 14, 2017

Title: An act relating to removal of provisions that are no longer necessary for continued publication in the Revised Code of Washington.

Brief Description: Concerning the removal of provisions that are no longer necessary for continued publication in the Revised Code of Washington.

Sponsors: Senator Fortunato.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: State Government: 2/03/17.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Decodifies, repeals, or amends a number of statutes.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)

Background: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Generally. State laws are found in the RCW, which is codified and published by the Code Reviser under the supervision of the Statute Law Committee, a legislative agency.

Decodification. Decodified statutes are removed from publication in the RCW, but remain in effect. This is commonly used in situations where a statute lays out nonsubstantive language, such as an effective date, emergency clause, or severability clause, or the statute no longer has any effect going forward.

Repeal. Repealed statutes are invalid going forward and are removed from publication in the RCW and disappear altogether. This is commonly used in situations where the Legislature wants to eliminate an authority or directive, a specific statutory task has already been completed, or a specific statutory authority has not been used in a number of years.

Summary of Bill: A number of statutes are decodified, repealed, or amended, such as:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.