FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5956

                           C 5 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Establishing a commission on ethics in government and campaign practices.

SPONSORS: Senators Gaspard, Sellar, Sutherland, Bauer, Spanel, M. Rasmussen, McAuliffe and von Reichbauer; by request of Governor Lowry and Attorney General

BACKGROUND:

There appears to be a public mistrust of government.  The Governor has declared that a "major issue is the confidence of people in their government."

SUMMARY:

A Commission on Ethics in Government and Campaign Practices is established.  The commission shall study and make recommendations on legislation to: (a) promote public trust and confidence in government; (b) promote fair campaign practices; and (c) ensure the effective administration of public disclosure, conflict of interest, and ethics laws.

The 17-member commission shall include ten citizen members appointed by the Governor and shall also include the Governor or his or her designee; the Attorney General or his or her designee; two members of the House of Representatives from different political parties appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate from different political parties appointed by the President of the Senate; and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or his or her designee.  The Governor and the Attorney General shall within 60 days after the effective date of the act convene the commission and appoint a chair or chairs from among the citizen members.

The commission is authorized to retain the services of experts and consultants and support staff.  The commission shall provide a report no later than December 1, 1993.  The commission expires on March 31, 1994.

Appropriation:  $100,000

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   0

House     96   0

EFFECTIVE:March 12, 1993