SENATE BILL REPORT

SJR 8221

As of January 22, 2002

Brief Description:  Changing the requirement that legislative days be consecutive.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Kohl‑Welles, Fraser and Fairley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/28/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  Article II, Section 12 of the State Constitution requires that:

(1)Each odd-numbered year regular session of the Legislature may not be more than 105 consecutive days;

(2)Each even-numbered year regular session of the Legislature may not be more than 60 consecutive days; and

(3)Special legislative sessions, either proclaimed by the Governor or resolved by the Legislature, may not be more than 30 consecutive days.

Regular sessions convene on a date set by statute:  The second Monday of January.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement that regular and special sessions of the Legislature convene for consecutive days is eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.