HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6465

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

March 6, 2002

Title:  An act relating to county auditors.

Brief Description:  Revising limitations on county auditors.

Sponsors:  By Senators Carlson, Gardner and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  2/27/02, 2/28/02 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/6/02, 89-4.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House)

$Removes the language prohibiting county auditors and their deputies from performing the duties of any other county officer or his or her deputy.

$Removes the language prohibiting any other county officer and his or her deputy from performing the duties of the county auditor and his or her deputy.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Dunn, Hatfield, Kirby, Mielke and Sullivan.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Crouse and DeBolt.

Staff:  Amy Wood (786‑7127).

Background:

The county auditor and any deputy appointed by him or her may not perform the duties of any other county officer or act as deputy for any other county officer.  No other county officer or his or her deputy may act as auditor or deputy or perform any of the duties of the office of the county auditor.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The language is removed prohibiting county auditors and their deputies from performing the duties of any other county officer or his or her deputy.  And the language is removed prohibiting any other county officer and his or her deputy from performing the duties of the county auditor and his or her deputy.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Both the house and senate bills received unanimous support.  The county auditors want to remove the prohibition on performing clerical and ministerial duties of county officers so that they may enter into agreements with other officials to provide improved customer service and allow for one stop shopping.  This bill is necessary to provide this service.

Testimony Against:  It is unconstitutional for the auditor to perform the duties of another county officer.  The parties are not able to reconcile their differences so the bill should not go forward until the parties have been able to review the issue and come to a resolution.  There is no reasonable way for one clerk to do everything.  Other counties will be forced to have to do this too because of budgetary pressures.  Need more time to review the options.

Testified: (In support) Greg Kimsey, Clark County Auditor; and Sharon Wylie, Clark County.

(Opposed)   Linda Walverton, President, Washington State Association of Treasurers; and Debbie Wilke, Washington Association of County Officials.