SENATE 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

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

AS OF MARCH 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1976, Referendum 36 required all elective officials and executive state officers to file statements of personal financial affairs with the Public Disclosure Commission each year.  Since then, several new agencies and commissions have been created.  Not all persons required to file are listed in the pertinent section of the Public Disclosure Act.

The definition of "executive state officer" includes 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 authority.

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 of agencies created since the enactment of the disclosure provisions, such as the heads of the Lottery Commission, the State Investment Board, and the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises.

            oMembers of 11 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 which have major regulatory financial responsibilities, such as the Shorelines Hearings 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 the act are exempt from filing a financial affairs statement until they are reappointed to those positions.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested