Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee

HB 1091

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.

Brief Description: Making technical corrections and removing obsolete language from the Revised Code of Washington pursuant to RCW 1.08.025.

Sponsors: Representative Goodman; by request of Statute Law Committee.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Makes technical corrections to various provisions of the Revised Code of Washington.

Hearing Date: 1/16/19

Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:

Inaccuracies in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) may occur in a variety of ways. Sections may be repealed, recodified, or amended in a way that changes their internal numbering, and references to these sections or subsections in other provisions of the code then become incorrect. A bill may change a particular term and references to these terms in other provisions of the code become inaccurate, or drafting and typographical errors may be made in the drafting process.

In addition, two or more bills may amend the same section of the RCW without reference to each other. These are called "double" or "multiple" amendments. Usually there are no substantive conflicts between the multiple amendments, and the amendments may be merged, but sometimes merging multiple amendments may require restructuring of a section.

The Code Reviser's Office, under the direction of the Statute Law Committee, is authorized to correct certain "manifest errors" in the statutes. These errors may include such things as mistakes in spelling, or obvious clerical or typographical errors. The Code Reviser is also authorized to recommend to the Legislature changes regarding deficiencies, conflicts, or obsolete provisions in the RCW.

Summary of Bill:

Technical corrections are made to various provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). These changes include:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.