HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1866

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to oaths of office.

Brief Description:  Requiring an oath of office for state legislators.

Sponsors:  Representatives Anderson, Reams and Brough.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 25, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; King; and Pruitt.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  State law requires an elective office to become vacant if an elected official refuses or neglects to take his or her oath of office.

An oath of office is specified and required by law for judges of the state's Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court, and for each elected officer of the executive branch of state government.

Summary of Bill:  An oath is specified for each person elected or appointed to the office of a member of the state Legislature.  The member must take and subscribe to the oath upon first assuming office.  A copy of the oath must be filed with the secretary of state.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.