SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2207

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           State & Local Government, March 24, 1999

Title:  An act relating to increasing legislative membership on commissions.

Brief Description:  Increasing legislative commission membership.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kessler and Lisk.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/22/99, 3/24/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn and Kline.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The Washington Arts Commission consists of 19 members appointed by the Governor and two members of the Legislature, one from each chamber from opposing parties.

The Washington State Information Services Board is composed of 13 members, including two members of the Legislature, one member from each chamber from opposing parties.

The Puget Sound Council is composed of nine members including two members of the Legislature, one member from each chamber from opposing parties.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Two members from the Legislature are added to each entity.  Of the four legislative members, two must come from each chamber, one from each major party caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, respectively.

Two additional members are added to the Washington State Arts Commission to be appointed by the Governor for a total of 25 members.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The two additional non-legislative appointees (these appointees were probably due to a drafting error) to the Washington Arts Commission are eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  It is good to keep these books balanced with representation from all the caucuses.  Also, it enhances legislative knowledge of the issues.  The additional appointees to the Arts Commission should be dropped.  We have problems getting a quorum as it is.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Kris Tucker, Arts Commission; Jean Leonard, WA State Arts Alliance.