HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1282

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Title:  An act relating to the uniform legislation commission.

Brief Description:  Adding the code reviser to the uniform legislation commission.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt and Romero; by request of Washington Uniform Legislation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/21/01, 2/23/01 [DPS].

  Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Adds the code reviser to the Uniform Legislation Commission.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives McMorris, Republican Co‑Chair; Romero, Democratic Co‑Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Haigh, Lambert, McDermott and D. Schmidt.

Staff:  Catherine Blinn (786‑7114).

Background:

The Uniform Legislation Commission was established to promote uniformity of legislation with other states.  The commission works with similar commissions from other states, including the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, to draft and recommend uniform laws for approval and adoption by the various states.  The commission consists of three commissioners appointed by the Governor who usually include judges, law professors, or other members of the bar.  The code reviser currently serves as a non-voting deputy commissioner.  The commissioners are not compensated for their service but are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Summary of  Substitute Bill:

Effective August 1, 2001, the code reviser is added to the Uniform Legislation Commission.  The code reviser will be a fourth commissioner who has voting rights but is not subject to gubernatorial appointment.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill strikes reference to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws because the reference is unnecessary and the National Conference is undefined.  Adding the code reviser as a permanent, voting member of the Washington Uniform Legislation Commission will change the code reviser=s status at the National Conference.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill takes effect on August 1, 2001.

Testimony For:  (Original bill)  The bill was a request by the current commissioners to allow the code reviser to become a permanent, voting member of the state commission and to be eligible to participate more fully in the national conference.  Because the code reviser currently serves as a non-voting member, the change will have no fiscal impacts.  The addition of a fourth commissioner would also alleviate concerns of unintentional violations of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Original bill)  Representative D. Schmidt, prime sponsor; and Dennis Cooper, Office of the Code Reviser.