HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2370

As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to county road engineers.

Brief Description:  Authorizing all counties to share county road engineering services.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Schoesler, Cox, Eickmeyer, Ahern, Chandler, Mulliken and Haigh.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

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

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/12/02, 97-0.

Passed Senate:  3/2/02, 47-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Eliminates the requirement that each county with a population of 8,000 or more employ a full‑time road engineer.

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:

The county legislative authority of each county with a population of 8,000 or more must employ a full‑time county road engineer.  The county legislative authority of each other county must employ a county engineer either on a full‑time or part‑time basis, or may contract with another county for the engineering services of a county road engineer from such other county.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement that each county with a population of 8,000 or more employ a full‑time road engineer is eliminated.  Each county with a population of 8,000 or more may hire either a full‑time or part‑time road engineer, or may contract with another county for engineering services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill presents a logical means for counties to save money and be more efficient.  It also allows more qualified engineers to be shared between counties.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Schoesler, prime sponsor.