SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6563

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 2, 1998

Title:  An act relating to effective dates of bills.

Brief Description:  Requiring a specific statement in any bill or local ordinance containing an emergency clause as to the reason for an early effective date.

Sponsors:  Senators Heavey, West, Wojahn, Bauer, Roach, Fairley, Loveland, Schow, Haugen, Swecker, T. Sheldon and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/2/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6563 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Haugen, Horn, Patterson and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The traditional language used by the Legislature to require that a bill take effect immediately upon the Governor=s  signature states, AThis act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public instructions, and takes effect immediately.@

The constitutional effect of this declaration is to prevent the people from exercising their right of referendum.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The importance of the people=s power of referendum is emphasized by requiring state and local legislatures to state with specificity both the particular emergency situation and the facts that support the finding of that particular emergency.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provision for immediate review by the state Supreme Court is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The city of Seattle has used the emergency clause to supplant the public=s control over public funds so that public money can be used to benefit wealthy private interests.  This has drastically increased the councilmatic (non-voter approved) debt burden of the citizens of Seattle.  This has occurred at the expense of needed infrastructure maintenance.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jordan Brower, Seattle community activist; Charlie Chong.