Title: An act relating to regional law libraries.

Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to regional law libraries.

Sponsors: Senators Hewitt and Delvin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/21/05, 2/24/05 [DP, w/oRec].

Passed Senate: 3/9/05, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Benton.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: Counties with populations of eight thousand and more but less than one hundred twenty-five thousand, may agree to create a regional law library. The counties' board of trustees determines the location of the library. The individual counties must also maintain a library in their local courthouse where their superior court is housed.

Summary of Bill: If counties with the requisite populations create a regional law library, that library may continue operating, by continuing agreement of the counties, if any of the individual counties' populations increase beyond one hundred twenty-five thousand.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The joint operating agreement with Benton and Franklin counties to operate a regional law library, run by Columbia Basin College, has been successfully operating for several years. The library is able to offer extended hours, it is conveniently located, and it is well used by members of the Bar, judiciary, and citizenry. Benton County could not afford to operate a facility that provided the service this one does. It is in the best interests of the citizens of both counties to keep this library open. Both counties' population now exceeds one hundred twenty-five thousand.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Hewitt, prime sponsor; Leo Bowman, Benton County Commissioner.