SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5419

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying metropolitan park district elections.

SPONSORS: Senators Wojahn, Franklin and M. Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 12, 1993

BACKGROUND:

A metropolitan park district may be formed in a city with a population of at least 5,000 and such contiguous property the residents may decide in favor of for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, and boulevards.  A metropolitan park district board consists of five commissioners.  All commissioners serve six-year terms of office.  The commissioners are elected at-large.

SUMMARY:

The board of commissioners of a metropolitan park district in a county with a population of 500,000 or more may submit a ballot proposition to the voters of the district authorizing the board of commissioners to be elected from districts.  Such a ballot proposition may also be placed before the voters of the district by a petition signed by at least 10 percent of the district voters voting in the last park district election.  If a ballot proposition is approved, the current board of commissioners shall divide the park district into five electoral districts of equal population.  At the first park district election after an election by electoral district is called for, a primary and general election shall be held in all five districts.  Procedures are established for staggering the terms.  Commissioners are nominated and elected from districts.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested