H-387                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 177

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Patrick, Crane, C. Smith, J. Williams, May, Brough, Lewis, Chandler, Nealey, Schmidt, Ferguson, Cole, Bumgarner, Silver and Schoon

Read first time 1/20/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to the horse racing commission; adding a new section to chapter 67.16 RCW; and repealing RCW 67.16.012.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 67.16 RCW to read as follows:

          There is hereby created the "Washington horse racing  commission," consisting of five members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.  The members of the commission shall consist of two members with backgrounds in the thoroughbred industry, two members with backgrounds in other breeds, and one member with a nonhorse racing background.  At least two of the five members shall be selected from the east side of the Cascade Mountains and at least two of the five members shall be selected from the west side of the Cascade Mountain range.  The members of the commission shall be appointed within thirty days of the effective date of this section for terms beginning July 1, 1987, and expiring as follows:  One member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1989; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1990; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1991; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1992; and one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1993; each as the governor so determines.  Their successors shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, upon being appointed and qualified, shall serve six year terms.  No member of the commission who has served a full six year term shall be eligible for reappointment.  In case of a vacancy, it shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term in which said vacancy occurs.  Any commission member may be removed at any time by the governor.  No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of the remaining member or members to act.  Before entering upon the duties of his office, each commissioner shall post a surety bond, to be approved by the attorney general, payable to the state of Washington, in the amount of five thousand dollars, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties and the correct accounting and payment of all sums received and coming within his control under this chapter.  Each commissioner shall take and subscribe to an oath of office of the same form as that prescribed by law for elective state officers.

          In addition to the members of the commission there shall be four ex officio members without vote from the legislature consisting of:  (1) Two members of the senate, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the president of the senate; (2) two members of the house of representatives, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; such appointments shall be for the term of two years or for the period in which the appointee serves as a legislator, whichever expires first; members may be reappointed; vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments are made.  Such ex officio members who shall collect data deemed essential to future legislative proposals and exchange information with the board shall be deemed engaged in legislative business while in attendance upon the business of the board and shall be limited to such allowances therefor as otherwise provided in RCW 44.04.120, the same to be paid from the horse racing commission fund as being expenses relative to commission business.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  Section 2, chapter 55, Laws of 1933, section 1, chapter 233, Laws of 1969 ex. sess., section 1, chapter 216, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and RCW 67.16.012 are each repealed.