SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6129

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, June 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the number of members in the house of representatives.

Brief Description:  Adjusting the size of the house of representatives.

Sponsors:  Senator Snyder.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  6/11/01, 6/19/01 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Gardner, Haugen, Kline and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Horn and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The Washington State Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be composed of not less than 63 nor more than 99 members and that the number of senators be not more than one-half nor less than one-third the number of representatives.  The Legislature presently consists of 49 senators and 98 representatives.

The House of Representatives presently consists of 49 Republican members and 49 Democrat members.

Summary of Bill:  Subject to the passage of SJR 8218 in November 2001, the House of Representatives consists of 99 members, each of whom shall be elected from and run at large within each representative district.  The Senate consists of 49 members, one of whom shall be elected from each senatorial district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available (as part of note on SJR 8218).

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.