Brief Description: Outlining the duties of the lieutenant governor.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Roach, Eide, Pflug and Shin; by request of Lieutenant Governor).

Hearing Date: 2/15/06

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. Some of these duties relate to the following:

1) The Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
The law enforcement medal of honor (medal) was established in 1994 to award any law enforcement officer who has been seriously injured or killed while performing his or her duty, or who has been nominated by the Governor's State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee for exceptional conduct. The medal may be awarded posthumously by presenting it to a representative of the deceased. The medal's design is also laid out in its chapter.

At the request of the Governor, either the Lieutenant Governor or the Attorney General may be delegated the duty to award the state law enforcement medal of honor. It is awarded during the National Law Enforcement Recognition Week.

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) 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 six senators to the Committee, and signs voucher forms to pay the Committee's expenses.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature's stated intent is to consolidate the duties of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor so as to keep the statutes consistent among the different statewide elected offices, and to facilitate understanding of the role of the Lieutenant Governor.

A new chapter in statute is created, entitled "Office of Lieutenant Governor." The new chapter states the main duties of the Lieutenant Governor. In addition to the events prescribed under the state Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor serves as President of the Senate and serves as and is compensated as Governor when the Governor is absent. The Lieutenant Governor shall award the law enforcement medal of honor when the Governor delegates that responsibility to him or her. Furthermore, the various boards and committees to which the Lieutenant Governor makes appointments and on which he or she serves are listed in the new chapter. Cross-references are made to the original codes that stipulated such powers and duties.

The following sections of RCW are recodified as sections in the new chapter:
1.   All sections in the chapter on the Association of Washington Generals.
2.   The section discussing the Legislative International Trade Account.
3.   All sections in the chapter on the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.

Substitute Senate Bill as Compared to Substitute House Bill:
The senate bill states that, when acting as governor, the Lieutenant Governor is paid $10 per day for expenses. In contrast, the house bill states that when the Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor, he or she is compensated according to the section requiring public officials to be paid salaries based on realistic standards.

The senate bill states that the Lieutenant Governor shall award the law enforcement medal of honor (medal) when the Governor delegates that responsibility to him or her, while the house bill does not make reference to the medal.

The senate bill includes the Association of Washington Generals in the list of committees and boards on which the Lieutenant Governor serves.

The senate bill clarifies that the Lieutenant Governor may be serving as president of the senate when he or she appoints members to boards and committees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available, and shows no fiscal impact.

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