SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5705

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, March 5, 2001

Title:  An act relating to initiatives.

Brief Description:  Requiring initiatives to specify funding sources.

Sponsors:  Senators Deccio, T. Sheldon, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Benton, Prentice, Oke, Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, Franklin, B. Sheldon, Shin, McCaslin, Parlette, Winsley, Fraser, Costa, Sheahan, Hewitt, Carlson, Regala, Kline, Kohl‑Welles and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/1/01, 3/5/01 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5705 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Kline and McCaslin.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Fairley, Vice Chair; T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  If an initiative to the people or to the Legislature requires public funds for its implementation, there is no requirement that the initiative specify the source of the public funds.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  If an initiative, whether to the people or to the Legislature, requires public funds for its implementation, the Office of Financial Management must prepare a fiscal impact statement.  If an initiative increases spending, the following wording in bold type must appear after the ballot title:  ?This measure has been determined to cost a significant amount of money to implement; if it passes, a tax increase or a new tax may be required or significant cuts to vital state services may occur.@  This statement must appear in bold print along with the ballot title on all documents in which the ballot title is required to appear.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This will give people an idea of the magnitude of cost, if any, and let them balance the advantages and disadvantages of possible new taxes or cuts in services.

Testimony Against:  This will confuse people and perhaps may serve as a deterrent to the initiative process.

Testified:  Steve Gano (pro); Cherie Davidson, League of Women Voters (pro); Jim King, Citizens to Parks and Recreation (concern).