SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1207

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.

Title: An act relating to compliance with Article II, section 12 of the state Constitution.

Brief Description: Complying with the constitutional requirement to set a starting time for regular legislative sessions.

Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 3/24/11 [DP]; 2/16/12.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Chase, Nelson and Roach.

Background: Article II, section 12 of the Washington Constitution specifies that a regular session of the Legislature must be convened each year. The specific day and time must be designated by the Legislature in statute. During an odd-numbered year, the regular session shall not be more than 105 consecutive days. During an even-numbered year, the regular session shall not be more than 60 consecutive days.

The Legislature has designated the second Monday of January to be the first day of the annual regular session.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature finds that it has relied on custom and joint legislative rules, rather than statute, to set the start time of the first day of session as 12 noon. Since the Constitution specifically directs that the time as well as the day for convening regular sessions is determined by statute, the Legislature intends to add to the statute a regular session starting time of 12:00 p.m.