(1) The economic and revenue forecast council is hereby created. The council shall consist of two individuals appointed by the governor and four individuals, one of whom is appointed by the chairperson of each of the two largest political caucuses in the senate and house of representatives. The chair of the council shall be selected from among the four caucus appointees. The council may select such other officers as the members deem necessary.

     (2) The council shall employ an economic and revenue forecast supervisor to supervise the preparation of all economic and revenue forecasts. As used in this chapter, "supervisor" means the economic and revenue forecast supervisor. Approval by an affirmative vote of at least five members of the council is required for any decisions regarding employment of the supervisor. Employment of the supervisor shall terminate after each term of three years. At the end of the first year of each three-year term the council shall consider extension of the supervisor's term by one year. The council may fix the compensation of the supervisor. The supervisor shall employ staff sufficient to accomplish the purposes of this section.

     (3) The economic and revenue forecast council shall oversee the preparation of and approve, by an affirmative vote of at least four members, the official, optimistic, and pessimistic state economic and revenue forecasts prepared under RCW 82.33.020. If the council is unable to approve a forecast before a date required in RCW 82.33.020, the supervisor shall submit the forecast without approval and the forecast shall have the same effect as if approved by the council.

     (4) A councilmember who does not cast an affirmative vote for approval of the official economic and revenue forecast may request, and the supervisor shall provide, an alternative economic and revenue forecast based on assumptions specified by the member.

     (5) Members of the economic and revenue forecast council shall serve without additional compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120 while attending sessions of the council or on official business authorized by the council. Nonlegislative members of the council shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

[1990 c 229 § 1; 1984 c 138 § 4. Formerly RCW 82.01.130.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 1990 c 229: See note following RCW 41.06.087.