BILL REQ. #:  H-1819.1 

Read first time 02/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability.

     AN ACT Relating to the legislature and terms of state officials and members of the legislature; amending RCW 44.04.010 and 43.01.010; and adding a new section to chapter 44.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 44.04.010 and 1980 c 87 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:
     Regular sessions of the legislature shall be held annually, commencing on the second Monday of ((January)) March.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.01.010 and 1965 c 8 s 43.01.010 are each amended to read as follows:
     The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of public lands, and insurance commissioner, shall hold office for the term of four years, and until their successors are elected and qualified; and the term shall commence on ((the Wednesday after)) the second Monday of January following their election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 44.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) On the second Monday of January of each odd-numbered year, the legislature shall meet for the following purposes:
     (a) To judge the election, returns, and qualifications of its members as provided in Article II, section 8 of the state Constitution;
     (b) To administer the oath of office of such state officers and members of the legislature; and
     (c) To canvass the votes for elected state officers as provided in Article III, section 4 of the state Constitution.
     (2) The legislature may also elect its officers and adopt rules of procedure at such meeting, but it shall not act on legislation unless convened in regular or special session pursuant to Article II, section 12 of the state Constitution.