SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6128

                    As of January 15, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the legislative transportation committee.

Brief Description:  Expanding membership of the legislative transportation committee.

Sponsors:  Senators McDonald, Snyder, Prince, Haugen, Patterson, Goings, Oke, Jacobsen, Prentice, Heavey, Rasmussen, Morton, Sellar, Horn, Schow and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/15/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

Background:  The Legislative Transportation Committee was first established in 1947 as the Joint Fact Finding Committee on Highways, Streets and Bridges.  It consisted of  12 members:  one Senator and one Representative from each of the six state Department of Highways districts.  In subsequent years, the committee's name was changed, geographical representation requirements were dropped, the membership was gradually increased, and in 1959 a one-member majority for the House was established.

The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate appoint members to the committee at the close of session in odd-numbered years.

Since 1967 membership has consisted of 12 Representatives and 11 Senators.  From the beginning, appointees from each house have reflected the party split within each house.

The law is silent as to the process for selection of officers of the committee.

Summary of Bill:  The number of Senate members on the Legislative Transportation Committee is increased from 11 to 12 (to equal the number of House members).  Not more than six members from each house may be from the same political party.  Vacancies must be filled from the same house and party as the original appointment.

The committee chair is elected every two years, the chairmanship rotates between the House and Senate, and the chair elected at the close of the 1999 session must be from the House.

The new membership requirements take effect with appointments to the committee which is constituted at the end of the 1999 session.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on April 1, 1999.