SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6739

              As Passed Senate, February 14, 1998

Title:  An act relating to governmental actions affecting families.

Brief Description:  Requiring assessment of the impact on families before adoption of administrative rules and adoption of local government ordinances or resolutions.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/3/98, 2/5/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/14/98, 47-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Long, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hargrove, Kohl, Schow and Stevens.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background:  State agencies are authorized to enact administrative rules to assist the agency in implementing state laws.  Local governments are likewise authorized to enact ordinances and resolutions.  It has been suggested that because these rules, ordinances and resolutions may greatly affect families, an analysis of the impact should be conducted prior to enactment.

Summary of Bill:  Each state agency and local government must assess each proposed ordinance, resolution, or administrative rule to determine its impact on families.  The family policy principles must be used as a guide in making the determination.  The Family Policy Council must develop guidelines for assisting the agency or government in complying with the required impact statement.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The intent of this bill is to focus on any rule which affects Aall@ families in general, and doesn=t require a review for an impact on an individual family.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Hargrove, prime sponsor.