Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing Committee

SSB 5319

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the municipal research council.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Horn and Gardner).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Reduces the number of members on the Municipal Research Council from 23 to 14.

$Eliminates requirement for the Municipal Research Council to send county officials' requests for legal services to county prosecuting attorneys= offices.

Hearing Date:  3/22/01

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786‑7156).

Background: 

The Municipal Research Council (Council) is a state agency that contracts for the provision of municipal research and services to cities, towns, and counties. The Council is composed of 23 members serving two-year terms, including:

$four from the Senate, with equal representation from each of the two major political parties, who are appointed by the President of the Senate;

$four from the House of Representatives, with equal representation from each of the two major political parties, who are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

$one appointed by the Governor;

$nine city or town officials appointed by the Governor from a list of nine nominees submitted by the Association of Washington Cities; and

$five county officials appointed by the Governor, two from a list of two nominees submitted by the Washington Association of County Officials and three from a list of three nominees submitted by the Washington State Association of Counties.

For the city and town officials appointed to the Council, at least one must be an official from a city with a population: (1) of at least 20,000; (2) between 1,500 and 20,000; and (3) fewer than 1,500.

The Council may contract with state agencies, educational institutions, or private consulting firms qualified to provide research and services. Municipal research and services for city, town, and county governments include: (1) studying and researching these governments and their issues; (2) acquiring, preparing and distributing relevant publications; (3) providing relevant educational conferences; and (4) furnishing legal, technical, consultative, and field services related to planning, public health, utility services, fire protection, law enforcement, public works, and other relevant issues. 

Requests for legal services by county officials must be sent by the Council to the office of the county prosecuting attorney.  The Council's responses to county requests for legal services must be provided to the requesting official and the county prosecuting attorney.

The Council's activities, programs, and services are conducted in cooperation with the Washington State Association of Counties and the Association of Washington Cities and are based on funds appropriated to the Council from the City and Town Research Services Account or the County Research Services Account.

Summary of Bill: 

The number of members on the Municipal Research Council (Council) is reduced from 23 to 14.  The Council members include:

$two from the Senate, with equal representation from each of the two major political parties, who are appointed by the President of the Senate;

$two from the House of Representatives, with equal representation from each of the two major political parties, who are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

$the director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development;

$six city or town officials appointed by the Governor from a list of six nominees submitted by the Association of Washington Cities; and

$three county officials appointed by the Governor, one nominated by the Washington Association of County Officials and two from a list of two nominees submitted by the Washington State Association of Counties.

Provisions regarding the Council's requirements to submit requests for legal services and the Council's responses to these requests to county prosecuting attorneys' offices are repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary available on original bill, requested on substitute bill on 3/19/01.

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