SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2660

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions, February 17, 2000

Title:  An act relating to criminal history record checks of finalist candidates for certain staff positions of the state investment board.

Brief Description:  Changing record checks for the state investment board.

Sponsors:  Representatives Huff, H. Sommers, Hatfield and Benson; by request of State Investment Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions:  2/17/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, HOUSING & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Gardner, Hale, Heavey, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff:  Susan Jones (786-7784)

Background:  As a result of 1999 legislation, the State Investment Board is allowed to conduct both state and national criminal history record checks on certain prospective employees who may have authority for or access to State Investment Board funds, data systems, or security systems.  However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will only conduct national criminal history background checks for state agencies if these checks are mandatory under state law.  Because the State Investment Board checks are allowable but not mandatory, the FBI will not conduct the checks.

Summary of Bill:  Criminal history background checks are mandatory for each finalist candidate for State Investment Board exempt board staff positions and other positions with authority for or access to State Investment Board funds, data systems or security systems.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is the same bill as SB 6161.  The FBI wanted the language Ashall@ instead of Amay@ for the background checks.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Scott Huntley, State Investment Board (pro).