SENATE BILL REPORT

SJR 8221

BYSenator Williams

Amending the Constitution to specify where state offices and executive departments must be located.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 28, 1989

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Resolution No. SJR 8221 be substituted therefor, and the substitute resolution do pass.

     Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443); Sam Thompson (786-7754)

                March 1, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

There has been much debate over where the offices of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government may be located.  In the mid 1950s, the Supreme Court issued a formal opinion which stated state headquarter offices must be "at the seat of state government."  Although the court did not precisely define what was meant by "at the seat of government," its decision forced numerous state offices to return to Olympia.  An Attorney General opinion stated the main offices of agencies must be as close to the original boundaries of the city of Olympia as possible.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature shall submit to the voters for their approval at the next general election a proposed amendment to Article XIV, section 1 of the state Constitution.  The amendment designates the "seat of government."  The seat of government shall remain within the limits of the city of Olympia.  The legislative department, the executive department, and the Supreme Court shall remain located within the seat of government.  Agencies and departments not administered by statewide elected offices may be located anywhere within the boundaries of the county in which the seat of government is located.  Branch offices of the legislative and executive departments or the Supreme Court are not restricted to be within the seat of government or the county within which the seat of government is located except as provided by law.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The term "department" is replaced with the more commonly used term "branch."  The section which would allow branch offices of the legislative branch, executive branch and the Supreme Court to locate anywhere in the state is eliminated.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   M. A. Harmon, (con); Greg Cusio, City Manager, City of Lacey (pro); Holly Gadbaw, Mayor, City of Olympia (con); John Drebick, citizen (con); Charles Hodde