SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5573

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, FEBRUARY 24, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing legislative rules review provisions.

SPONSORS: Senators Deccio, Haugen, Snyder, Sellar, Moyer, Jesernig, M. Rasmussen, Loveland, Franklin, Hargrove, Oke, McAuliffe, von Reichbauer, Vognild, Bauer, Nelson, Niemi, Amondson, Fraser, West, Winsley, Bluechel, Erwin, Skratek, Roach, L. Smith, McDonald, Newhouse, Gaspard, McCaslin, Anderson, Barr, Cantu, Owen, A. Smith, Sheldon, Hochstatter, Drew and Quigley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5573 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Cantu, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Vognild, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates:  February 12, 1993; February 24, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) is a committee consisting of two members from each legislative caucus.  Its primary charge is to selectively review proposed and existing agency rules to determine whether they conform to the intent of the legislation they purport to implement.  Part-time staff is loaned to JARRC from Senate Committee Services and from the House Office of Program Research.

SUMMARY:

The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) is to appoint an executive director and general counsel, and may employ additional staff as necessary to carry out its duties.

The duties of JARRC are expanded to include continuous review of all rules to determine whether they are consistent with legislative intent and whether the statute the rule purports to implement has been repealed or ruled invalid by the courts.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) is to appoint an executive director and general counsel, and may employ additional staff as necessary to carry out its duties.

The duties of JARRC are expanded to include continuous review of all rules to determine whether they are consistent with legislative intent, whether they were adopted in accordance with all applicable provisions of law, and whether the statute the rule purports to implement has been repealed or ruled invalid by the courts.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 8, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill would enable JARRC to a better job of reviewing agency rules for compliance with legislative intent.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The bill would interfere with the ability of agencies to do their jobs, sacrificing public welfare just to save businesses money.

TESTIFIED:  PRO: Senator Deccio, prime sponsor; Darrell Harting, S-Corporation; CON: Allan Darr, Operating Engineers; Bob Dilger, Washington State Building and Construction Trades