SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6433
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:
Labor, Commerce, Research & Development, February 05, 2008
Title: An act relating to making technical changes to laws relating to labor regulations.
Brief Description: Making technical changes to laws relating to labor regulations.
Sponsors: Senators Murray, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Franklin and King.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 1/15/08.1/15/08, 2/5/08[DPS]
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6433 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Hewitt, King, Murray and Prentice.
Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)
Background: Since 1983, state law requires that all statutes, memorials, and resolutions be
drafted in gender-neutral terms unless a specification of gender is intended. Since 2004, state law
requires the use of respectful language when referring to individuals with disabilities.
The Code Reviser's Office publishes a Bill Drafting Guide to assist bill drafters in writing
legislation. The guide lists general drafting principles that a drafter should follow, including use
of plain language, respectful language, and gender-neutral language. The guide also lists words
and phrases to be avoided by a drafter and suggests alternatives. For example, a drafter should
avoid the phrase "is authorized to" and use "may" instead.
Title 49 RCW contains statutes relating to labor regulations. Many statutes have not been
amended since the enactment of language requirements in 1983 and 2004, and some statutes date
back to 1903.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
SUMMARY OF BILL (Recommended Substitute): Technical changes are made to Title 49
RCW. These technical changes include replacing gender-specific references with gender-neutral
terms, inserting respectful language, removing obsolete dates, and using plain language as
suggested by the guide.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (Recommended Substitute): Restores some language, for purposes of maintaining a historical record in code.
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 on Original Bill: PRO: This bill cleans up the code and makes technical changes. It is not controversial, but we need to get it done.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kohl-Welles, prime sponsor.