SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2238

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Eliminating provisions requiring public entities to purchase fuel mined or produced in Washington state.

SPONSORS: House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Thomas, Dorn, Padden, Bray, Casada, Anderson, Horn, Chappell, Brumsickle and Dyer)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:  February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In 1933 and 1937, the Legislature passed a series of laws requiring that state, local governments and school districts purchase fuel "wholly mined or produced within the state" unless the costs of using such fuel is over 5 percent greater than the costs of using out-of-state fuel.  In 1938, and again in 1989, the state Supreme Court held that these statutes are unconstitutional.

SUMMARY:

The statutes requiring that the state, local governments and school districts purchase fuel produced within the state are repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

These statutes are unconstitutional, unnecessary and unenforceable.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Brian Thomas, prime sponsor