HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1352

BYRepresentatives Morris, Prince, Rector and Sayan; by request of Governor Gardner

Broadening the definition of executive state officer.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135) and Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1976, the state's public disclosure laws were amended to require all elective officials and executive state officers to file statements of financial affairs with the Public Disclosure Commission each year.

The definition of "executive state officer" includes many agency heads, professional staff members of the office of the governor, professional staff of the legislature, and appointed members of executive boards, commissions, and committees which have major financial or regulatory control.

SUMMARY:

The definition of "executive state officer" under the public disclosure laws is expanded for the purposes of filing a yearly statement of financial affairs with the Public Disclosure Commission.

The new definition includes:

            oAll heads of agencies who are appointed by the governor.  Twelve agency heads are added who were not specifically listed in the original definition, but who already file with the Commission.  Seventeen additional agency heads are added, including those heads of agencies created since the enactment of the disclosure provisions for agency administrators in 1976, such as the heads of the Lottery Commission, the State Investment Board, and the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises.

            oMembers of eleven boards, commissions and committees created since 1976, such as the State Convention and Trade Center, the Washington Public Power Supply System Executive Board, and the Washington Health Care Facilities Board.

            oMembers of five boards, commissions and committees whose members have control over major regulatory policy or have financial responsibilities, such as the Shorelines Hearing Board, the Hospital Commission, and the Oil and Gas Conservation Committee.

The members of the above boards, commissions and committees who were appointed to their positions prior to the effective date of this bill are exempt from filing a statement of financial affairs until they are reappointed to those positions.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Fred Hellberg, Governor's Office; Evelyn Sun, Lottery Commission; Chuck Sauvage, Common Cause; and Graham Johnson, Public Disclosure Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill cleans up the inequities in the application of the Public Disclosure Law, and ensures public access to information on financial matters significant to the state.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.