SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6491

As Passed Senate, February 11, 2004

Title: An act relating to providing venue for administrative rule challenges in Spokane, Yakima, and Bellingham for residents of those appellate districts.

Brief Description: Providing venue for administrative rule challenges in Spokane, Yakima, and Bellingham for residents of those appellate districts.

Sponsors: Senators Roach, Hale, Kastama, McCaslin, Berkey and Murray; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/4/04, 2/5/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/11/04, 48-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: A petition for declaratory judgment to review an agency's administrative rule may only be filed in Thurston County.

Summary of Bill: A petition for declaratory judgment to review an agency's administrative rule may be filed in Thurston County and the counties of Whatcom, Spokane or Yakima, if the petitioner's residence or principal place of business is within one of those counties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This is a bill the Governor will sign.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Claire Hesselholt, Governor's Office; Carolyn Logue, NFIB; Gary Smith, Ind. Bus. Assoc.; Amber Carter, AWB; Dan Fuzio, WA Farm Bureau.