HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1599



As Passed House:
March 11, 2005

Title: An act relating to the definition of "county engineer".

Brief Description: Revising the definition of "county engineer."

Sponsors: By Representatives Takko, Wallace and Woods; by request of County Road Administration Board.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/7/05, 2/10/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/11/05, 93-0.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Clarifies that a county engineer must be a licensed professional engineer appointed by the county legislative authority.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Buck, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Flannigan, Hankins, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

Current law requires each county to appoint a county road engineer, who must be a licensed professional engineer. The definition of "county engineer" in RCW 36.75.010 includes a county director of public works. Directors of public works are not required to be licensed professional engineers.


Summary of Bill:

The definition of "county engineer" in RCW 36.75.010 is revised to clarify that it includes directors of public works if they are licensed professional engineers and are appointed by the county legislative authority.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill will help clarify confusion about the definition of a county engineer.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Walt Olsen, County Road Administration Board (CRAB).

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.