HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1923

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to making advisory committees and task forces subject to the open public meetings act.

Brief Description:  Making advisory committees and task forces subject to the open public meetings act.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sheldon, Dunn, D. Sommers, Kastama, Lambert, Sump, Ballasiotes, Doumit, Linville, Chandler, Veloria, Grant, Conway, O'Brien, Wensman, Mulliken, Sullivan and Cooke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/26/97, 3/4/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Murray.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  The Open Public Meetings Act requires the governing bodies of public agencies to hold their meetings open to the public unless otherwise exempted.  A Apublic agency@ includes local governments and all state agencies, boards, commissions, and institutions other than the courts and the Legislature.  Any subagency of a public agency is subject to the open meetings provisions if the subagency is created by or pursuant to a statute, ordinance, or other legislative act, such as a planning commission.  A committee of a governing body is subject to the open meetings provisions when it acts on behalf of the governing body, conducts hearings, or takes testimony or public comment.

There is no specific provision that subjects a task force or advisory committee to the open meetings laws when that task force or advisory committee pertains to the expenditure or use of tax receipts, and the Governor has appointed one or more of the members.    

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Any advisory committee or task force with one or more members appointed by the Governor is subject to the Open Public Meetings Act if the advisory committee or task force relates to the expenditure or use of tax receipts.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Sheldon, prime sponsor.