SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5020

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1991

Brief Description:  Changing per diem compensation for certain local officials.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senator L. Smith).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5020 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates:January 24, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Members of the boards of commissioners or supervisors of diking districts; drainage districts; diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement districts, and intercounty diking and drainage districts receive compensation up to $25 per day for attendance at official meetings of the respective districts.  This compensation has been in effect since 1985.  In 1985, per day rates of compensation were raised to $50 for members of the governing bodies of fire protection, sewer, water, public hospital, and port districts.  An annual ceiling for most of these officials was established at $4,800.

A number of boards or commissions appointed by the county legislative authority (such as a planning commission, hospital board and board of equalization) may receive reimbursement for expenses but no compensation.  It is argued that this lack of compensation makes these positions unattractive. 

SUMMARY:

The per day compensation for members of the boards of diking commissioners, drainage commissioners, diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement supervisors, and intercounty diking and drainage commissioners is increased from $25 to $50.  Such compensation shall not exceed $4,800 per year.

County legislative authorities may provide compensation of up to $50 per day for certain appointive boards and commissions, but reimbursement for expenses is eliminated.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

In some of these districts, the board members actually operate the utility, instead of merely attending policy meetings.  There have been occasions when no one could be persuaded to file for office because they would suffer a loss of compensation from a regular job.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dave C. Spencer, Consolidated Diking and Drainage District #1, Cowlitz County (pro)