SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6326

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.

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/12/20, 46-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Amends certain exceptions to the rule on conflicts of interest to increase the permissible employment of unskilled labor from $200 per month to $1,000 per month and the permissible letting of an employment contract for substitute teachers or educational aides in second-class school districts with 300 (previously 200) or fewer students.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Lovelett.

Background: Conflict of Interest. Generally, no municipal officer may be beneficially interested in any contract benefiting their office. Nor may any municipal officer accept, directly in indirectly, any compensation, gratuity, or reward in connection with a contract from any other person beneficially interested in the contact. Certain exceptions apply, such as the employment of a person for unskilled labor not exceeding $200 per month and the letting of an employment contract as a substitute teacher or educational aide to an officer of a second-class school district with 200 or fewer students.

Summary of Bill: Certain exceptions to the rule on conflicts of interest are amended as follows:

the permissible employment of a person for unskilled labor in connection with a contract is increased from $200 per month to $1,000 per month; and
the permissible letting of an employment contract as a substitute teacher or educational aide to an officer of a second-class school district with 300 (previously 200) or fewer students.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill was brought to me by the Odessa school district superintendent because small school districts are having problems finding substitute teachers and other temporary employees. In small towns, it is difficult to find potential employees who are not related to municipal officers.