SB 5462

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

State Government Operations & Accountability Committee

SB 5462

Brief Description: Changing the terms for nonlegislative members of the legislative ethics board.

Sponsors: Senators McCaslin and Kastama.

Brief Summary of Bill

Removes the term limit for citizen members of the Legislative Ethics Board.

Hearing Date: 3/18/05

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

The Legislative Ethics Board is charged with enforcing the state ethics law with respect to legislators and legislative employees. The Legislative Ethics Board consists of nine members:

Two members of the House of Representatives, one from each caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
Two members of the Senate, one from each caucus, appointed by the President of the Senate;
Four citizen members chosen by the Governor from lists submitted by the four legislative caucuses; and
One citizen member chosen by the other four citizen members.

The citizen members of the Legislative Ethics Board may only serve one term.

Summary of Bill:

The term limit for citizen members of the Legislative Ethics Board is removed. Citizen members may serve an unlimited number of terms.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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