HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6118

                      As Passed House:

                      February 27, 1998

Title:  An act relating to gifts under ethics in public service laws.

Brief Description:  Clarifying "gifts" for purposes of ethics in public service.

Sponsors:  Senators Long and Spanel.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/20/98, 2/24/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/27/98, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Dunshee.

Staff:  John Carmichael (786-7093).

Background:  State officers and employees are prohibited from seeking or accepting certain gifts.  Generally, state officers and employees are not allowed to accept gifts worth more than $50.  The value of gifts given to an officer's or employee's family member is included when determining if the $50 limit has been exceeded, unless the family member has an independent relationship with the donor.

Several items are excluded from the definition of "gift."  State officers and employees are allowed to accept payment of enrollment fees and reasonable travel expenses to attend seminars or educational programs.  The programs must be sponsored by a nonprofit professional, educational, or trade association or charitable institution.

Summary of Bill:  The value of gifts given to the guest of a state officer or employee is counted in the same way as gifts given to family members.

State officers or employees may accept enrollment fees and reasonable travel expenses for seminars and educational programs sponsored by governmental associations or institutions, in addition to programs sponsored by nonprofit associations or institutions.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.