Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing

HB 1522

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

Sponsors:  Representatives Dunshee, Mulliken, Mielke and Edmonds.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes coverage under existing medical plans for commissioners to 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.

Hearing Date:  2/12/01

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 eligible to receive medical coverage is expanded to include all city and town elected officials. 

Requirements for the process of providing coverage are expanded to state that the 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.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 2001.