SENATE 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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Ways & Means, March 03, 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: Representatives Sommers and Dunshee.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/18/08, 60-35.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/25/08, 3/3/08 [DP, DNP, w/oRec]
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Carrell, Fairley, Hobbs, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Rasmussen, Regala, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Honeyford and Parlette.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Brandland.
Staff: Steve Jones (786-7440)
Background: In 1993 the voters of the state approved Initiative 601, which established a state
General Fund expenditure limit. In 2007 five additional state funds were added to the expenditure
limit.
In 2000 the Legislature amended Initiative 601 to establish the State Expenditure Limit
Committee to meet each November to determine and adjust the state expenditure limit, based on
a statutory formula. The committee consists of six members: the Director of Financial
Management, the Attorney General (or a designee), the chair and ranking minority member of the
Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and the chair and ranking minority member of the House
of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. Any action by the committee requires the
affirmative vote of at least four of the six members. If the committee is unable to establish an
expenditure limit, the Attorney General (or a designee) is directed to determine the limit.
Summary of Bill: The Attorney General is removed from the membership of the State Expenditure Limit Committee, reducing the committee to five members. Any action by the committee requires the affirmative vote of at least three of the five members. If the committee is unable to establish an expenditure limit, the Director of Financial Management determines the limit.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.