SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1021

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, MARCH 23, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to municipal ordinances.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, H. Myers and Morris)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, Owen, and Winsley.

Staff:  Katie Healy (786‑7784)

Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993

BACKGROUND:

When a city or town codifies its ordinances, a copy of the codification is filed in the office of the city or town clerk.  A means of providing a single source for cities and towns to access information regarding ordinances of other cities or towns is desired.

The violation of a town ordinance is a misdemeanor.  It may be prosecuted as a criminal matter or handled through a civil action.

SUMMARY:

Cities and towns are encouraged to send a copy of their ordinances to the Municipal Research Council after their adoption.  The Municipal Research Council will indicate to cities and towns the types of ordinances it is interested in compiling.

The violation of a town ordinance is a misdemeanor or a civil violation subject to a monetary penalty, and may be prosecuted as a criminal offense or handled through a civil action.

Some technical changes are made.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Redundant language is deleted.  Cities and towns may publish the text or title of their ordinances rather than a summary.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The Municipal Research Council will be a general repository where ordinances are available to the public as well as to cities or towns.  Permitting the violation of a town ordinance to be a misdemeanor or a civil violation punishable by a monetary penalty will reduce the cost of enforcing and punishing violations.  The requirement that cities and towns publish the text or title of their ordinances rather than a summary should be added.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Springer, original prime sponsor (pro); Stan Finkelstein, AWC (pro)