SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5528

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, February 25, 2003

Title: An act relating to requiring senate confirmation of certain commission and department appointments.

Brief Description: Requiring senate confirmation of certain commission and department appointments.

Sponsors: Senators Benton, Prentice, Hale, Haugen, Rossi, Schmidt, Shin, T. Sheldon, Oke, Brandland, Zarelli, Esser, Hewitt, Morton, Stevens, Sheahan, Mulliken, Johnson, Parlette, West, Roach, Horn, Honeyford, Rasmussen and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/12/03, 2/25/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Horn, Kastama, McCaslin and Reardon.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The Director of Financial Institutions appoints five other members to serve on the Escrow Commission. The State Advisory Committee within the Department of Financial Institutions consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. The Real Estate Commission within the Department of Licensing consists of the Director of Licensing and six other members appointed by the Governor. Both the Director of Financial Institutions and the Director of Licensing are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The other appointees are not confirmed by the Senate. Neither the appointments of the Secretary of Transportation nor the Director of Fish and Wildlife by their respective commissions are confirmed by the Senate.

Summary of Bill: The five members appointed by the Director of Financial Institutions to the Escrow Commission must be confirmed by the Senate. The gubernatorial appointments to the Real Estate Commission and the State Advisory Committee to the Director of the Department of Financial Institutions must be confirmed by the Senate.

The appointments of the Director of Fish and Wildlife and the Secretary of Transportation must be confirmed by the Senate.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: We need to have a meaningful confirmation process that is consistent where the Senate actually is consulted and does advise. We need unconfirmed appointees' service to end after one year.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Senator Benton, prime sponsor (pro).