HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1943

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to special district commissioner per diem compensation.

Brief Description:  Increasing special district commissioner per diem compensation.

Sponsors:  Representatives Reams, Scott, D. Schmidt, Kessler and Schoesler.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/26/97, 3/5/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Metropolitan park district commissioners serve without compensation.

Fire protection district commissioners are paid per diem compensation at a rate of $50 per day, or portion thereof, for attending board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the district, not to exceed $4,800 per year.  Any commissioner may waive this compensation.

Water-sewer district commissioners are paid per diem compensation at a rate of $50 per day, or portion thereof, devoted to the business of the district, not to exceed $4,800 per year.  Any commissioner may waive this compensation.

Port district commissioners are paid per diem compensation at a rate of $50 per day, or portion thereof, for actually attending board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the district, not to exceed $4,800 per year if the port district had a gross operating income of $25 million in the preceding calendar year or not to exceed $6,000 per year if the port district had a gross operating income of $25 million or more in the preceding calendar year.  In addition, port district commissioners receive a salary of $500 per month if the port district had a gross operating income of $25 million or more in the preceding calendar year, or $200 per month, if the port district had a gross operating income of from $1 million to less than $25 million in the preceding calendar year.  In lieu of this compensation, a port commission may set compensation to be paid to commissioners.  Any commissioner may waive this compensation.

Public transit benefit areas are local governments authorized to provide transit.  The governing body of a public transit benefit area consists of county and city officials selected by the governing bodies of the component cities and counties.  Members of the governing body receive per diem compensation at a rate of $45 for no more than 75 days in a year.

The state constitution prohibits elected officials who set their own salaries from increasing their salaries during their current terms of office.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The commissioners of a metropolitan park district may adopt a resolution providing for per diem compensation for commissioners at a rate of $66 for each day or portion of a day devoted to the business of the district, not to exceed $6,336 per year.  A commissioner may waive this compensation.

The commissioners of a fire protection district may adopt a resolution increasing the rate of per diem compensation for commissioners from $50 to $66, and increasing the yearly ceiling on this compensation from $4,800 to $6,336.

The commissioners of a water-sewer district may adopt a resolution increasing the rate of per diem compensation for commissioners from $50 to $66 per day, and increasing the yearly ceiling on this compensation from $4,800 to $6,336.

The per day compensation rate for port district commissioners is increased from $50 to $66 and the yearly ceiling on this compensation is increased from $4,800 to $6,336 if the port district had gross operating income of less than $25 million in the preceding calendar year, or from $6,000 to $7,920 if the port district had gross operating income of $25 million or more in the preceding calendar year.

The members of the governing body of a public transit benefit area may increase their per diem rate of compensation from $45 to $66.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Members of the governing body of a public transit benefit area may increase their rate of compensation from $45 to $66 per day.  The annual ceilings on compensation are made in multiples of the per diem rate.  The increase for port commissioners is automatic.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 26, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  The existing rates of compensation were set years ago.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Reams, prime sponsor; T. K. Bentler, Metro Park District of Tacoma; Steve Lindstrom, Sno-King Water District Coalition; Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association; and Roger Ferris, Washington Fire Commissioners Association.