SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 338

BYRepresentatives Zellinsky, Schmidt, Meyers, Walk, Pruitt, S. Wilson, J. Williams and P. King; by request of  Washington State Transportation Commission

Authorizing the transportation commission to retain legal counsel and other technical experts.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, West.

Senate Staff:Louise Bray (786-7322)

                  March 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Current law prohibits state officers, directors, administrative agencies, boards, or commissions, other than the Attorney General, from hiring legal counsel to act in any legal or quasi-legal capacity.

The Legislative Budget Committee and the Statute Law Committee are exempted from this prohibition.  In 1986 RCW 43.10.045 was enacted and specifically authorizes the Legislature, defined for purposes of that section as the House and Senate together, to hire legal counsel to represent itself or any of its members in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

SUMMARY:

The Transportation Commission is authorized to retain, as needed, planners, consultants, including legal consultants, and other technical personnel to advise it in the performance of its duties.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Paul Zellinsky; William J. Kamps, Transportation Commission