SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6420

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to travel by public officers and employees.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting first and business class travel at public expense.

Sponsors:  Senators Heavey, Roach, Oke, Finkbeiner and Hochstatter.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/23/96, 2/1/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6420 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  There is no statutory restriction on state or local government officers or employees traveling first class or business class on a commercial airline when on official business.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A state government officer or employee may not use first class or business class accommodations when traveling on commercial airlines in the discharge of official duties unless as a reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities or where an emergency warrants such travel.

Local governments must adopt by ordinance or resolution requirements that whenever travel by commercial air carrier is required, the cost incurred may not exceed the fare for coach class.  Such ordinances or resolutions may include specific circumstances when business class travel may be authorized.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill does not permit local government entities to define by ordinance or resolution circumstances when business class travel may be authorized, and would permit business class or first class travel only when required to accommodate a traveler with disabilities or when required by an emergency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Cities can live with this watered-down version.

Testimony Against:  The bill allows ports to use business class on long overseas travel.

Testified:  Stan Finkelstein, AWC; Pat Jones, Ports Assn.; Larry Larson, Port of Longview.