HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2297

As Reported by House Committee On:

Local Government & Housing

Title:  An act relating to county auditors.

Brief Description:  Revising limitations on county auditors.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunn, Fromhold, Ogden, Delvin and Schual‑Berke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  1/31/02, 2/4/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Declares that the county auditor and any deputy appointed by him or her is disqualified from performing duties of any other county officer or acting as deputy for any county officer, except for clerical or ministerial duties.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Hatfield, Kirby, Mielke and Sullivan.

Staff:  Amy Wood (786‑7127).

Background:

Current statute prohibits county auditors and deputies from playing a dual role as both the county auditor or deputy and that of an attorney, any other county officer, or deputy for any other county officer.  In addition, no other county officer or his or her deputy may act as the auditor or deputy, or perform the duties of the county auditor.

Summary of  Bill:

The county auditor or deputy are permitted to perform clerical or ministerial duties of another county officer or deputy for another county officer.  A county officer or his or her deputy are permitted to perform clerical or ministerial duties as county auditor or deputy.

The gender references are modernized to include female references.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Allows auditors to enter into agreements with other county officials to provide improved customer service, i.e., "one stop shopping."  Does not affect the constitutional or statutory responsibilities of the elected officials who choose to enter into these agreements.  Does not require any county official to do anything; only allows them this option if they choose.  Charter counties already have this authority.  Provides an opportunity for better services without increasing costs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Dunn, prime sponsor; Greg Kimsey, Clark County Auditor;

and Doug Lasher, Clark County Treasurer.