SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1827

                             AS OF MARCH 22, 1991

Brief Description:  Limiting the time for actions to be brought challenging elections.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representative Haugen).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates:

BACKGROUND:

If a court finds that a candidate or a political committee violated the law concerning campaign financing, reporting financial affairs, public records, or political advertising, and the violation probably affected the outcome of the election, then the result of the election may be held void.  Any action to void an election on this basis must be brought within one year of the date of the election.  The general statute of limitations on actions not otherwise expressly provided for is two years.

Concerns have been raised that the possibility of an election being voided will adversely impact the ability of local governments to sell bonds. 

SUMMARY:

An action to void an election authorizing the issuance of bonds or the levy of taxes must be brought within 180 days after the results of the election have been certified.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested