SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1018
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,
FEBRUARY 17, 1994
Brief Description: Making the office of sheriff nonpartisan.
SPONSORS: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Morris, Chappell, Dunshee, Finkbeiner, Riley, Brough, R. Johnson, Carlson, Edmondson, Flemming, Orr and Hansen)
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Oke, Owen and Winsley.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Loveland.
Staff: Eugene Green (786‑7405)
Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993; March 24, 1993; February 17, 1994
BACKGROUND:
The Constitution does not specify whether elected officials in noncharter counties are elected on a partisan or nonpartisan basis. However, legislation has been enacted providing for all elected county offices in noncharter counties, other than judicial offices, to be partisan offices. In partisan offices, a nominating primary is held prior to every general election at which the office is filled, notwithstanding the persons who file for the office, while in nonpartisan elections a primary is held only if more than two persons file for the office.
SUMMARY:
The office of county sheriff in a noncharter county is changed from a partisan office to a nonpartisan office. The sheriff is designated as the chief law enforcement officer of the county rather than the chief executive officer of the county.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Law enforcement should not be partisan.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Tim Schellberg, Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (pro)