HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1522

As Reported by House Committee On:

Local Government & Housing

Title:  An act relating to medical plans for elected city officials.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to medical plans for elected city officials.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunshee, Mulliken, Mielke and Edmonds.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  2/5/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

  Brief Summary of Bill

$Specifies that medical plans are not additional compensation for city, code city and town officials.

$Specifies plan coverage must be adopted at an open meeting, must be included on the agenda, and have a line item in the city budget.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Dunshee, Democratic Co‑Chair; Mulliken, Republican Co‑Chair; Mielke, Republican Vice Chair; Berkey, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Edmonds, Hatfield, Jarrett and Kirby.

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786‑7106).

Background:

Elected commissioners of special purpose districts are paid a fee set in statute for attendance at meetings and for performance of other services on behalf of the district,  as well as expenses incurred in the duty of the office.

Any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state may, whenever funds are available for the purpose of medical plans, provide such plans for its employees and dependents.

School, fire, port, public utility, water-sewer, public hospital, and irrigation district elected commissioners and any county elected officials are also eligible to receive medical coverage, based on funding availability.  The cost of such policies or plan to a public agency is not to be considered additional compensation to the elected officials that are covered by the plans.  The district may decide to fund part or all of the premium.

Summary of  Bill:

The elected officials for whom the cost of medical plans is not considered additional compensation, is expanded to include all city and town elected officials. 

The decision by a city or town to extend a policy or plan, must be included on the council agenda, adopted in an open meeting, and included as a line item in the city budget.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 2001.

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

Testimony For: This is needed to reform health care.  This bill also clarifies existing law, and the association feels that cities already have the ability to this, but it is somewhat in question.  This bill would clear it up.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  Representative Dunshee, prime sponsor; Representative Mulliken, sponsor; and Ron Rosenbloom, Association of Washington Cities.