Title: An act relating to the office of lieutenant governor.

Brief Description: Outlining the duties of the lieutenant governor.

Sponsors: Representatives Kessler and Haigh; by request of Lieutenant Governor.

Brief History:

State Government Operations & Accountability: 1/17/06, 1/25/06 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Green, Vice Chair; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Miloscia, Schindler and Sump.

Staff: Stephanie Toby (786-7106).

Background:

The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate and serves the state as acting governor in the absence of the Governor. He or she serves on and makes appointments to a variety of committees and boards. Responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor are stipulated throughout the code.

The Association of Washington Generals
The Association of Washington Generals (Association) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, corporation. Its purpose includes bringing together individuals who have performed outstanding service to the state. These individuals serve the state as ambassadors of trade, tourism, and international goodwill. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors (Board).

The Lieutenant Governor sits on the Board of the Association and may provide the Association with technical or financial assistance.

The Legislative International Trade Account
The Legislative International Trade Account was created for the purpose of building international relations through trade and other activities.

The Lieutenant Governor, when acting as President of the Senate, has responsibilities for receipt of money and authorizing final expenditures, along with the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development
The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (Committee) was created in 1985. Its stated purpose is to involve the Legislature in economic development. The Committee consists of six senators and six representatives from the Legislature, and the Lieutenant Governor who serves as chairperson. The Committee is authorized to study and review economic development issues. The Senate and House of Representatives provide the Committee with staff support.

The Lieutenant Governor serves as chair of the Committee, appoints the six senators to the Committee, and signs voucher forms to pay the Committee's expenses.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Legislature's stated intent is to consolidate the duties of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, consistent with the statutes of other statewide elected offices, and to facilitate understanding of the role of the Lieutenant Governor.

A new chapter in statute is created, entitled "Office of the Lieutenant Governor." The new chapter states the duties of the Lieutenant Governor as prescribed under the State Constitution and throughout statute. The boards and committees that the Lieutenant Governor serves on or makes appointments to are listed. Chapters relating to the Association of Washington Generals and the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, and the section detailing the Legislative International Trade Account are recodified in sections under the new chapter.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Statutes relating to the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, the Lieutenant Governor acting in the Governor's absence, and the salary of the Lieutenant Governor when acting as Governor are not recodified into the new chapter.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The Lieutenant Governor has myriad responsibilities and it is time for the office to have its own chapter. Minor offices have their own chapters. This is a housekeeping measure that is long overdue. Some modifications will be made so that parts of the code will be cross-referenced rather than recodified.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kessler, prime sponsor; and Brian Hatfield, Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.