SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8002

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, February 26, 2001

Brief Description:  Petitioning Congress to consent to the formation of a new state.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin and Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  2/22/01, 2/26/01 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Constantine, Vice Chair; Costa, Hargrove, Johnson and McCaslin.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Kastama.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Background:  Article IV, Section 3 of the United States Constitution prohibits a new state from being formed within the jurisdiction of any other state or any state to be formed by the junction of two or more states or parts of states without the consent of congress and of the legislatures of the states concerned.

Proponents of this joint memorial believe that the differences between eastern and western Washington warrant the creation of a separate and independent state from the crest of the Cascade Mountains east to the existing state border.

Summary of Bill:  The Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington petition for that portion of the state from the crest of the Cascade Mountains east to the existing state border, including the Wenatchee and Yakima valleys, to become a separate and independent state.  The memorialists from the Senate and House of Representatives request that the Congress of the United States consent to the formation of this new state.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 20, 2001.

Testimony For:  Let the Spokane Inland Empire take care of its own economy and go its own way.  This issue is not about salaries or wages; it's the fundamental rights that people from eastern Washington feel they are losing.  It is also a rural versus urban issue.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Bob Morton.