FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1200

                          C 98 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising the code of ethics for municipal officers.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by  Representatives Buck, D. Schmidt and Dunn).

House Committee on Government Administration

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  Municipal officers are prohibited by the municipal code of ethics from having a beneficial interest in a contract, either directly or indirectly, which is made by, through, or under the supervision of that officer.  A municipal officer is any elected or appointed officer of a unit of local government and includes any deputies and assistants of that officer. 

A number of exemptions to this prohibition have been established, and some of these exemptions pertain to the hiring of a spouse of a municipal officer.  All of these particular spousal exemptions apply only to school districts.  There are no spousal exemptions from the prohibition against a municipal officer having a beneficial interest in a contract for any other type of municipality.

Summary:  A public hospital district may employ the spouse of a public hospital district commissioner without a violation of the municipal code of ethics occurring if (1) the spouse was employed by the district before the initial election of the commissioner; (2) the terms of the contract are commensurate with provisions for similar employees; (3) the commissioner=s interest is disclosed in the public record prior to the letting or continuation of the contract; and (4) the commissioner does not vote on the authorization, approval, or ratification of the contract or any of its conditions.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate470

Effective:July 27, 1997