FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6370

                              C 193 L 90

BYSenators von Reichbauer, DeJarnatt, Patrick, McCaslin and Thorsness

Changing provisions relating to changing the name of a city or town.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

House Committe on Local Government

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The procedure for changing the name of a city or town is initiated by the filing of a petition signed by 50 resident electors.  The question of whether or not to change the name is placed on the ballot at the next municipal election which can be up to two years later.  (Municipal elections are conducted in November of odd-numbered years.)

If a majority of voters approve the ballot question, any 25 resident electors may nominate new names up until 20 days prior to the next succeeding municipal election--two years after the first vote.

The name receiving the most votes and at least 40 percent of the votes shall become the name of the city or town at the time the officers elected at that same election begin their terms.

If no name receives at least 40 percent of the vote, the two names receiving the highest vote will be resubmitted for vote at the next succeeding municipal election--four years following the first vote.

At a minimum, a name change will take approximately 27 months exclusive of the time to gather signatures on the initial petition.  At a maximum, it could take six years and three months, plus the time to gather signatures.

For the city of Seattle, less than .01 percent of the resident electors can initiate an election.  For the town of Krupp, more than 75 percent of the resident electors would have to petition for a change.

SUMMARY:

A city or town name change may be initiated by either a resolution of the city or town council or by a petition signed by resident electors equal in number to, at least, 10 percent of the vote cast at the last general municipal election.  In a newly incorporated city or town that has not had a normal general municipal election, the clerk shall refer to the election at which the initial city officials were elected in determining the 10 percent threshold.

The resolution or petition shall indicate a specific name which shall be placed on the ballot at the next regular November election which occurs more than 60 days after the adoption of the resolution or the filing of the petition.  Alternate names may be submitted by additional petitions or resolutions.

A name must receive a majority vote to be selected.  If no name receives a majority, the two names receiving the most votes shall be placed on the ballot at the next November election.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   44    0

     House 96  1 (House amended)

     Senate   45    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990