HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3177


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
February 18, 2008

Title: An act relating to membership of the state expenditure limit committee.

Brief Description: Reducing the membership of the state expenditure limit committee.

Sponsors: By Representatives Sommers and Dunshee.

Brief History:

Appropriations: 1/31/08, 2/6/08 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/18/08, 60-35.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the Attorney General from the Expenditure Limit Committee.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, Morrell, Pettigrew, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sullivan and Walsh.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Hinkle, Kretz, McDonald, McIntire, Priest, Ross and Schmick.

Staff: Kristen Fraser (786-7148).

Background:

Initiative 601(I-601) was first adopted by the voters at the 1993 general election. As subsequently amended, I-601 establishes an expenditure limit for the State General Fund and five "related funds." The expenditure limit for each year is the prior year's actual expenditures, as increased by the fiscal growth factor and as adjusted upward or downward for other statutory factors.

The state Expenditure Limit Committee (ELC) annually establishes, adjusts, and projects the expenditure limit. The ELC has six members: the Director of the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Attorney General or his or her designee, the chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means Committees, and, added as of 2007, the ranking minority members of those committees. Actions of the ELC require a vote of four committee members. If the ELC fails to adopt a limit by November 30, the Attorney General or designee establishes the limit.


Summary of Bill:

The Attorney General or designee is removed from the Expenditure Limit Committee. Actions of the ELC require a vote of three committee members. If the ELC fails to adopt a limit by November 30, the OFM Director establishes the limit.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.