FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 188

                                  C 161 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics (originally sponsored by Representatives Fisher, Barnes, Pruitt and Unsoeld; by request of Secretary of State)

Specifying the time for filing initiatives and referendums.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state's constitution establishes deadlines for the filing of petitions for initiative or referendum measures with the secretary of state.  The constitution permits the legislature to enact legislation to facilitate its provisions regarding such measures.  State laws identify the maximum period within which the petitions may be circulated for signatures before being filed with the secretary.

State law also requires certain state officers, such as the secretary of state, to keep their offices open for the transaction of business from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. of each business day from Monday through Friday except on state legal holidays.  Such offices may be closed on Saturday.

SUMMARY:

A proposed initiative or referendum measure may be filed no earlier than the opening of the secretary of state's office for business on the first day filings are permitted.  An initiative or referendum petition must be filed not later than the close of business on the last business day in the period specified for submitting signatures.  If a filing deadline falls on a Saturday, the office of the secretary of state shall be open on that Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    43     0

EFFECTIVE:April 23, 1987