Delvin bill to allow remote offices for county officials gets governor’s signature

April 16, 2009

OLYMPIA… Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, made life easier for Washington’s county officials, when his bill to allow offices at locations other than county seats was signed into law by the governor today. 

State law requires county officials – such as the superior court clerk, county sheriff, county treasurer and county road engineer – to have offices in the county courthouse at the county seat.  

“Frequently, however, the county official’s work is located elsewhere,” Delvin said. “For example, my wife Josie is the Benton County Clerk. In Benton County, the county seat is Prosser, but most of the business is done in the Tri-Cities. This bill simply allows a county to locate offices where they are most needed.”   

Benton County Commissioner Leo Bowman praised the new bill, saying it will allow counties to provide each office where it is truly needed.  

“I’m delighted to see this bill passed into law,” Bowman said, “About 11 Washington counties have been struggling with this problem for years and now we have a solution. Best of all, it doesn’t cost any extra money to implement. It’s a true win-win situation.”   

Senate Bill 5233 will take effect this summer.  

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Sen. Delvin represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes
Richland, Kennewick, Benton City, and Prosser.

Additional contact: Pat Albright at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov