SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 315

BYRepresentatives Grimm and Miller;by request of Office of Financial Management

Making a supplemental appropriation for the citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials.

House Committe on Ways & Means/Appropriations

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

During the 1986 legislative session, ESHB 1331 and SHJR 49, creating the Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, were enacted.  SHJR 49 was subsequently approved by the voters in the November, 1986 general election.  Both laws took effect on January 1, 1987.

The commission is required to study the relationship of salaries to the duties of legislators, executive branch elected officials, and judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, superior courts, and district courts, and fix the salary for each of those positions.  The salaries established by the commission are to be filed with the Secretary of State by the first Monday in June 1987, and biennially thereafter.  The schedule of salaries becomes effective 90 days after it is filed.  The sole process for making changes in the salaries of elected officials is by referendum petition by the people.

Selection of 15 commission members must be completed and forwarded to the Governor by February 15, 1987.

SUMMARY:

One hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars ($127,000) is appropriated from the general fund-state to the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.  The act takes effect immediately.

Appropriation:    $127,000 to the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.