HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 2511

Exception for brd/commission/committee members  Hrg Date:  1/28/98

Brief Title

Reps. Wolfe/Chopp                                    Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

The Ethics in Public Service Act generally prohibits state officers or employees from having a beneficial interest in a transaction under the officer=s or employee=s supervision.  A beneficial interest would exist if a state officer or employee would benefit from a contract, regardless of the legal ownership of the contract.

Summary:

A member of a state board, commission, or committee may have a beneficial interest in a transaction if the interest is $10,000 or less, or less than 1 percent of the value of the person, corporation or entity involved in the transaction, whichever is less.  If the member=s interest exceeds this limit, the member must disclose the interest, recuse himself or herself from voting on the transaction, and not influence or attempt to influence the vote of other members.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.