SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1008
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, March 15, 2011
Title: An act relating to membership on the Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials.
Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to membership on the Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials.
Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton and Hunt).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/01/11, 57-41.
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 3/10/11, 3/15/11 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Chase, Nelson and Roach.
Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)
Background: The Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Commission) is an appointed body responsible for biennially creating a proposed schedule for salaries for specified state officials. The elected officials subject to the salary proposals of the Commission include:
members of the Legislature;
elected officials of the executive branch of state government; and
judges of the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, superior courts, and districts courts.
The Commission consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor pursuant to specified selection procedures involving the Secretary of State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate. Nine members must be registered voters from each of the nine congressional districts in Washington. Seven members must be members of specified professions with experience in personnel management. Specified categories of individuals are ineligible for membership on the Commission, including:
state officials;
public employees;
lobbyists; or
immediate family members of a state official, public employee, or lobbyist.
Immediate family is defined by statute to mean the parents, spouse or domestic partner, siblings, children, or dependent relative of a state official, public employee, or lobbyist.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): The definition of immediate family is changed as it is applied to public employees. The parents, spouse or domestic partner, siblings, children, or dependent relative of a public employee who live in the employee's household are not eligible to serve on the Commission. If these immediate family members are not living in the public employee's household, they are eligible to serve on the Commission provided that the family member is not dependent, in whole or in part, upon the earnings of a state employee.
The specific number of appointees representing congressional districts is removed.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Excludes from service on the Salary Commission immediate family members who are dependent, in whole or in part, upon the earnings of a state employee.
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.