H-1823.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2178

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Dunn, Koster, Cairnes and Boldt

Read first time 02/17/1999.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Creating the commission on declarations of emergency.

    AN ACT Relating to the commission on declarations of emergency; adding a new section to chapter 44.04 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 44.04 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The commission on declarations of emergency is created consisting of six members, as follows:  (a) Two members from the house of representatives, one from each major political caucus, selected by the speaker of the house of representatives; (b) two members from the senate, one from each major political caucus, selected by the president of the senate; (c) one member who has knowledge of the use of emergency powers, selected by the speaker of the house of representatives; and (d) one member who has knowledge of the use of emergency powers, selected by the president of the senate.

    (2) On or before December 1st of each year, the commission shall prepare and transmit a report to the legislature on the exercise of emergency powers by state agencies, employees, and officials and shall recommend legislation necessary to terminate these emergency powers.

    (3) This section expires January 1, 2004.

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