FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5634

                          C 279 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Requiring state agencies to submit interagency disputes to mediation before filing lawsuits.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Bauer, Newhouse, Snyder, Haugen, Gaspard, Vognild, Sutherland, Rinehart, Spanel, Talmadge, Winsley, McAuliffe, Moore and Drew)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

There is no provision in state law prescribing how state agencies resolve disputes among themselves.  Agencies may, at times, institute legal action in the courts against each other at substantial cost.

SUMMARY:

State agencies are encouraged to utilize alternative dispute resolution procedures prior to commencing a lawsuit against another state agency.  Agencies may request the assistance of the Governor in resolving disputes and the Governor may appoint a mediator.  For the purposes of this act, state agencies do not include the judiciary, Legislature, Governor's office and minor boards and commissions.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     98   0    (House amended)

Senate    42   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993