SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5356

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 17, 1993

Brief Description:  Authorizing city and town legislative authorities to review and approve checks and warrants up to one month after issuance.

SPONSORS: Senator Haugen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1993; February 17, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The legislative body of any city, town, county or special taxing district must review and approve all pending claims and warrants at each regular meeting.  Except in the smaller cities, council meetings are held every week.  It has been suggested that this process could be conducted less frequently with no loss of prudent oversight.

SUMMARY:

The legislative bodies of cities and towns are authorized to conduct the formal review of claims and warrants at a regularly scheduled public meeting within one month of issuance.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This issue was brought to our attention by the City of Edmonds, where it had become a problem to devote time at every council meeting to this purely ministerial task.  The more important type of council oversight is the examination and approval of the financial statements.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:   Stan Finkelstein, AWC