SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2511

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 23, 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:  2/15/96, 2/23/96 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

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 Amended 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 are sent to regular members and alternates.  Vacancies on the committee and in the position of alternate must be filled by appointment.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The striking amendment clarifies that the distribution of materials are made to the members of the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee, not all members of the Senate.  Also clarified is that vacancies of both members of the committee and alternates must be filled by appointment.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The committee has had a history of failure to achieve a quorum to transact business.  With the new time limits imposed by HB 1010 last session, there is much more urgency to the need for committee action at each and every meeting.  This bill gives the committee some insurance on the issue of attendance.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Brian Thomas, prime sponsor.