SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   EHB 2260

 

 

BYRepresentatives Ferguson, Haugen and Wood

 

 

Changing provisions relating to the Municipal Research Council.

 

 

House Committe on Local Government

 

 

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

 

      Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick.

 

      Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 20, 1990

 

 

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 19, 1990

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Municipal Research Council is an 18-member state agency composed of four members of the Senate (two from each of the major parties), four members of the House of Representatives (two from each of the major parties), one person appointed by the Governor, and nine persons appointed by the board of directors of the Association of Washington Cities.

 

Legislative appropriations to the Municipal Research Council are made from a portion of the state motor vehicle excise tax receipts that are distributed to cities and towns.  At least 7 cents per capita of the population of all cities and towns must be transmitted to the council.  The moneys provided to the Municipal Research Council from the state motor vehicle excise tax receipts must be used to contract with any state agency, educational institution, or private consulting firm, to provide a municipal research and service program.  The Municipal Research Council has contracted with the Municipal Research and Services Center, a private nonprofit corporation, to provide this municipal research and service program each biennium since 1970.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Municipal Research Council contracts for municipal research and services to cities and towns, which include:  (1) studying municipal government; (2) acquiring, preparing and distributing publications; (3) providing educational conferences; and (4) furnishing legal, technical, consultative, and field services to cities and towns.  The Municipal Research Council may contract for administrative services.

 

The funding formula is clarified to specify that moneys appropriated to the Municipal Research Council are deducted from state motor vehicle excise tax receipts that otherwise would be distributed to cities and towns.

 

A requirement is deleted that a certificate of appointment for each member of the council be filed with the Association of Washington Cities within 10 days of the appointment.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      none requested

 

Senate Committee - Testified: No one