HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2800
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 Legislature
Title: An act relating to correcting a double amendment concerning county legislative authorities.
Brief Description: Correcting a double amendment concerning county legislative authorities.
Sponsors: Representative Haler.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 1/26/16, 2/3/16 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/16/16, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 3/1/16, 47-1.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Appleton, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Taylor, Ranking Minority Member; Griffey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Fitzgibbon, McBride, McCaslin, Peterson and Pike.
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:
The RCW 36.32.080, which required county legislative authorities to hold regular meetings at the county seat, was amended by two separate bills that were enacted in 2015.
One of these laws allows two or more county legislative authorities to hold a joint regular meeting in the county seat of one of the participating counties if agenda items are of mutual interest or concern to the legislative authorities. Participating legislative authorities, in whose counties the meeting is not held, must provide notice of the meeting in accordance with the rules for special meetings.
The other law allows county legislative authorities to hold a regular meeting in a location in the county that is outside the county seat. This may be done no more than once per calendar quarter, and only if the legislative authority determines that holding a meeting at an alternate location is in the interest of supporting greater citizen engagement in local government. A legislative authority holding a meeting outside of the county seat must give notice of the meeting at least 30 days before the meeting. The notice must be posted on the county's website, published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, and sent via electronic mail (e-mail) to residents of the county who have chosen to receive the notice via e-mail.
Summary of Bill:
The RCW 36.32.080 is corrected to include all of the amendments to the statute from both laws that were enacted in 2015.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This a clean-up bill. Both past bills offered variations on where meetings of the county legislative authority could be held. One of the reasons that the previous bills were brought was so that counties could get together and have joint meetings.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Haler, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.