SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2564

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 28, 2002

Title:  An act relating to changing references in annexation procedures from "qualified electors" to "registered voters".

Brief Description:  Changing references in annexation procedures from "qualified electors" to "registered voters".

Sponsors:  Representatives Holmquist, Mulliken, Dunshee, Edwards, DeBolt, Sullivan, Mielke, Hatfield, Schindler, Berkey, Dunn, Crouse, Kirby, Boldt and Benson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/27/02, 2/28/02 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Keiser, Kline, McCaslin, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Roach.

Staff:  Mac Nicholson (786‑7445)

Background: Code cities are authorized to annex territory through a variety of procedures, including either a resolution/election method, a petition/election method, or a direct petition method.  Under the petition/election method, a ballot proposition authorizing an annexation is submitted to the voters upon the submission of a signed petition requesting the annexation by voters residing in the area proposed for annexation.

By statute, referendum petitions against annexations to a code city must be signed by a requisite number of "qualified electors" in order to be placed on the ballot.  Unlike "registered voters," however, there is no record of "qualified electors" within a city.  Consequently, there is no way of determining the validity of the signatures or whether the requisite number of "qualified electors" have signed a petition.

Summary of Bill:  The reference in annexation procedures for code cities is changed from  "qualified electors" to "registered voters."

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is just a housekeeping measure that fixes a small problem.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ron Rosenbloom, AWC.