The Legislative Committee Process LEGISLATIVE SCHOLARS 2015 Why

The Legislative Committee Process LEGISLATIVE SCHOLARS 2015

Why Committees? Disperse workload Allow the detailed study of bills and development of expertise Give § public the opportunity to testify Required by the state constitution Opportunity legislation to make changes or stop

Types of Committee Meetings Work Session -- generally devoted to learning more about an issue, hearing from experts, or hearing invited testimony Public Hearing -- controlled by the chair, any interested party may sign up to testify on a bill, including Public Interest Groups State Agencies and local governments Executive Session -- committee members vote on bills, public testimony is not generally allowed at this time

Standing Committee Issue Areas Standing committees are created based on issue areas that reflect the current concerns of society § Environment and ecology were not a part of a committee name prior to the 1970 § In the 1930 through 1950 s there were committees with irrigation, drainage, and ditches as part of their title § Names of committees often change when there is a change of power

Current Committees 2015 - 2016 House of Representatives Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Business & Financial Services Capital Budget Commerce & Gaming Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Early Learning & Human Services Education General Government & Information Technology Health Care & Wellness Higher Education Judiciary Labor Local Government Public Safety State Government Technology & Economic Development Environment Transportation Finance Rules

Current Committees 2015 -2016 Senate Accountability & Reform Higher Education Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Human Services, Mental Health & Housing Commerce & Labor Law and Justice Early Learning & K-12 Education Natural Resources & Parks Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Trade & Economic Development Financial Institutions & Insurance Government operations and Security Health Care Transportation Ways & Means

Joint Committees Task Forces, Joint Select, Advisory Committee, Work Group • • Formed by legislation to study and/or monitor an issue Aging & Disability Members from House, Senate, Agencies, Stakeholders, and Citizens Junior Taxing Districts Meet outside of Session to study the issue File a report of findings and/or recommendations which can be used for developing future legislation Health Reform Implementation Advanced Tuition Payment Local Financing Options for King County Adult Behavioral Health System Task Force Pension Funding Council Infrastructure Financing Gang Related Crime Evaluation

Rules Committee THEY DON’T MAKE ANY RULES EVERYONE WANTS TO BE ON IT NO CHAIRS OR VICE CHAIRS ALLOWED NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY OR DEBATE IT’S KIND OF BORING TO WATCH

Committee on Committees I SWEAR THERE REALLY IS ONE AND IT WIELDS A LOT OF POWER