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)