HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2511

                      As Passed House:

                      February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to membership on the joint administrative rules review committee.

Brief Description:  Appointing alternate members to the JARRC.

Sponsors:  Representatives B. Thomas and Thompson.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  1/26/96, 1/31/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  2/6/96, 96-0

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Cairnes, Vice Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; Scheuerman; D. Schmidt and Wolfe.

Staff:  Charlie Murphy (786-7135).

Background:  Regulatory reform legislation in 1995 contained several provisions strengthening legislative oversight functions over state agency rule-making.  Difficulties have been experienced by the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC), given the further duties, in both scheduling meetings and in establishing a quorum when members actually met.

Summary of Bill:  Four "alternate" members for JARRC appointed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House from each caucus of each house are established.  All meeting notices and committee documents will be sent to regular members and alternates.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This measure is needed to increase opportunities for a quorum at JARRC meetings, to share increased responsibility for broader oversight activity, and to supply transition means for new members.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative B. Thomas, prime sponsor.