HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1282

 

 

 

As Passed Legislature

 

Title:  An act relating to the uniform legislation commission.

 

Brief Description:  Adding the code reviser to the uniform legislation commission.

 

Sponsors:  By House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives D. Schmidt and Romero; by request of Washington Uniform Legislation Commission).

 

Brief History:  

Committee Activity: 

State Government:  2/21/01, 2/23/01 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/01, 93-0.

Passed Senate: 4/10/01, 48-0.

Passed Legislature.

 

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

 

$Adds the code reviser to the Uniform Legislation Commission.

 

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

 

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives McMorris, Republican Co‑Chair; Romero, Democratic Co‑Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Haigh, Lambert, McDermott and D. Schmidt.

 

Staff:  Catherine Blinn (786‑7114).

 

Background:

 

The Uniform Legislation Commission was established to promote uniformity of legislation with other states.  The commission works with similar commissions from other states, including the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, to draft and recommend uniform laws for approval and adoption by the various states.  The commission consists of three commissioners appointed by the Governor who usually include judges, law professors, or other members of the bar.  The code reviser currently serves as a non-voting deputy commissioner.  The commissioners are not compensated for their service but are reimbursed for travel expenses.

 

 

Summary of Bill: 

 

Effective August 1, 2001, the code reviser is added to the Uniform Legislation Commission.  The code reviser will be a fourth commissioner who has voting rights but is not subject to gubernatorial appointment.

 

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

 

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on August 1, 2001.

 

Testimony For:  (Original bill)  The bill was a request by the current commissioners to allow the code reviser to become a permanent, voting member of the state commission and to be eligible to participate more fully in the national conference.  Because the code reviser currently serves as a non-voting member, the change will have no fiscal impacts.  The addition of a fourth commissioner would also alleviate concerns of unintentional violations of the Open Public Meetings Act.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  (Original bill)  Representative D. Schmidt, prime sponsor; and Dennis Cooper, Office of the Code Reviser.