SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6149

BYSenators Thorsness, Lee, Craswell, McCaslin, Anderson, Smith, Cantu, Benitz, Matson and Metcalf

Reducing legislative per diem and appropriations to the Governor as an incentive for concluding extraordinary sessions of the legislature.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):

Senate Staff:Steve Jones (786-7715)

AS OF MAY 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Under Article II, section 12 of the state Constitution, special sessions of the Legislature may be convened for a period of not more than 30 days by proclamation of the Governor or by resolution of the Legislature by a vote of two-thirds of the members of each house.

During each regular or special session, members of the Legislature receive a daily allowance as fixed by the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House.  The allowance cannot exceed the greater of $44.00 per day or the maximum daily subsistence and lodging allowance provided to state officials and employees as determined by the Director of Financial Management under RCW 43.03.050.

SUMMARY:

During a special legislative session, the daily allowance provided legislators is reduced by 10 percent during the first five days, 20 percent during the next 10 days, and 25 percent during the remainder of the special session.  In addition, the Director of Financial Management is required to remove 1 percent of the state general funds appropriated to the Governor for each day of the special session.

Funds removed from the Governor's appropriation, together with the moneys deducted from the daily legislative allowance, are deposited into a new state account, the state conservancy account, to be appropriated for purchasing or improving lands for wildlife habitat, conservation, or public recreation purposes.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.