SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6326

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 Senate, February 12, 2020

Title: An act relating to municipal conflicts of interest.

Brief Description: Concerning municipal conflicts of interest.

Sponsors: Senator Warnick.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/16/20, 1/21/20 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/12/20, 46-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Amends certain exceptions to the rule on conflicts of interest to increase the permissible employment of unskilled labor from $200 per month to $1,000 per month and the permissible letting of an employment contract for substitute teachers or educational aides in second-class school districts with 300 (previously 200) or fewer students.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Lovelett.

Staff: Bonnie Kim (786-7316)

Background: Conflict of Interest. Generally, no municipal officer may be beneficially interested in any contract benefiting their office. Nor may any municipal officer accept, directly in indirectly, any compensation, gratuity, or reward in connection with a contract from any other person beneficially interested in the contact. Certain exceptions apply, such as the employment of a person for unskilled labor not exceeding $200 per month and the letting of an employment contract as a substitute teacher or educational aide to an officer of a second-class school district with 200 or fewer students.

Summary of Bill: Certain exceptions to the rule on conflicts of interest are amended as follows:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill was brought to me by the Odessa school district superintendent because small school districts are having problems finding substitute teachers and other temporary employees. In small towns, it is difficult to find potential employees who are not related to municipal officers.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Judy Warnick, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.