Title: An act relating to the office of lieutenant governor.

Brief Description: Outlining the duties of the lieutenant governor.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Roach, Eide, Pflug and Shin; by request of Lieutenant Governor.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/16/06, 1/26/06 [DPS, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6246 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The Washington State constitution provides that the executive department is comprised of eight executive officers who are elected statewide. These officers are the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Commissioner of Public Lands.

Each of these officers' general powers and duties is found in a separate chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (Code), except for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, to which a title is devoted, and the Office of Lieutenant Governor, for which there is no chapter or title. Each of the eight executive offices' duties is found in a separate section of Article 3 of the State Constitution.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A separate chapter, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is created in the Revised Code of Washington. Existing sections of law that concern the legislative international trade account, the legislative committee on economic development, and the association of Washington generals are removed from their current positions in the Code and placed in the new chapter. The new chapter also includes a list of the boards and committees on which the Lieutenant Governor serves. In addition, the new chapter contains a list of the boards and committees to which the Lieutenant Governor, both in his or her capacity as the Lieutenant Governor and as the President of the Senate, appoints members. The Lieutenant Governor's duties are listed, including his service as the President of the Senate; as the Governor when the Governor is out of state and the Lieutenant Governor's compensation therefor; and as the awarding official for the law enforcement medal of honor when delegated to serve as such by the Governor.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: A section is added for the duties of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor's service on the board of directors for the association of Washington generals is reflected in the list of the other boards and committees on which he or she serves. Only those sections of law that comprise an entire program are recodified into the new chapter.

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: This only brings the Lieutenant Governor to parity with the other state-wide elected officials.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Brian Hatfield, Office of the Lieutenant Governor.