HB 2932 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS PASSED LEGISLATURE)

     Declares that the commission is authorized, notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 49.60.240 and 49.60.250, to offer alternative dispute resolution to provide remedies to those with claims of illegal discrimination and minimize the lengthy and costly process of litigation.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2932

                   March 30, 1996

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, House Bill No. 2932 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to resolving claims of illegal discrimination;"

     The purpose of this bill is to allow the Human Rights Commission to use alternative dispute resolution to resolve complaints of discrimination.  While I strongly support this approach, the manner in which this authority is granted to the commission presents two problems.

     First, subsection (1) inserts language in law that is neither necessary nor appropriate to achieve this goal.  This language is not helpful in the understanding and application of the law against discrimination.

     Subsection (2) authorizes the Human Rights Commission to offer alternative dispute resolution as a process through which parties can attempt to resolve claims.  However, the commission is already conducting this type of dispute resolution, and nothing in current law prohibits it from doing so.  For this reason, subsection (2) is unnecessary.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill No. 2932 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor