HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1316

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to members of city and town legislative bodies serving the city or town in additional part-time capacities.

Brief Description:  Authorizing city councilmembers to serve as reserve police officers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Springer, H. Myers and Thomas.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, February 5, 1993, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Bray, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; R. Fisher; Rayburn; Romero; Springer; Van Luven; and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Horn.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  By resolution adopted by unanimous vote, the legislative body of any city or town may authorize any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters and receive the same compensation, insurance, and other benefits applicable to other volunteer fire fighters employed by the city or town.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  By resolution adopted by a simple majority vote of the full legislative body, the legislative body of any city or town could authorize any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers and receive the same compensation, insurance, and other benefits applicable to other volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers employed by the city or town.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The vote to authorize the employment was reduced from a unanimous vote to a simple majority vote of the full legislative body.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Small towns need this flexibility.  The only female reserve law enforcement officer in Snoqualmie is also a city council member.  She provides necessary assistance as a reserve officer.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (pro)  Colleen Johnson, Snoqualmie City Council; Kathrin Osborne and Reta Lessaro, Snoqualmie citizens; and Kathleen Collins, Association of Washington Cities.