HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6570
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 - Amended:
March 7, 2008
Title: An act relating to private businesses in state-owned housing provided under Title 77 RCW or chapter 79A.05 RCW.
Brief Description: Regarding private business activities in state-owned housing provided by the department of fish and wildlife or the parks and recreation commission.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley, Roach, Benton and Oemig; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).
Brief History:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 2/22/08, 2/26/08 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 3/7/08, 94-0.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Liias, Miloscia and Ormsby.
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
The Ethics in Public Service Act precludes a state officer or employee from using their
positions to secure special privileges or exemptions for himself or herself, or his or her
spouse, child, parents, or other persons. The law also prohibits a state officer or state
employee to employ or use any person, money, or property under the officer's or employee's
official control or direction, or in his or her official custody, for the private benefit or gain of
the officer, employee, or another.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Washington State Parks
and Recreation Commission (Commission) provides housing to some of their employees to
allow for optimal management of their resources. The WDFW manages approximately
800,000 acres that provide habitat and migration routes to wild species as well as a variety of
recreational opportunities to the state's citizens. It also operates numerous boat ramps and
other access areas in Washington. The Commission acquires, operates, enhances, and
protects a diverse system of recreational, cultural, historical, and natural sites and manages
120 state parks and other recreational areas.
Summary of Amended Bill:
The WDFW and the Commission may approve private business activity in state-owned
housing provided that:
A state employee, does not violate the state ethics laws pertaining to use of position for
special privileges or use of person, money, or property for private benefit or gain if the state
employee or the employee's spouse or child complies with the provisions of the act.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The Washington State Parks supports this agency request legislation. The bill
changes the law to change the lives of employees who work and reside on public property.
The WDFW supports the bill. The agency has over 200 residences utilized by state
employees to conduct business in our wildlife areas and hatcheries. The bill provides a
reasonableness for our employees while constraining the agencies to best business practices.
The Washington Federation of State Employees supports the bill. The only substantive
change was to include children of employees so that they would be able to sell, for example,
Girl Scout cookies or raffle tickets for the Boy Scouts. The bill is important to our members,
especially those that live in remote areas where job opportunities are more limited.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Rex Derr, Washington State Parks; Ron Warren, Department of Fish and Wildlife; and Alia Griffing, Washington Federation of State Employees.