SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SJR 8228

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing the signature requirements for petitions to recall state‑wide elected officers and for initiatives and referenda.

SPONSORS: Senators Haugen, Winsley and Drew

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, McCaslin, Oke, Owen and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1994; February 4, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Initiative petitions must be signed by voters equal in number to 8 percent of the votes cast for the Office of Governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. 

Referendum petitions must be signed by voters equal in number to 4 percent of the votes cast for the Office of Governor at the last regular gubernatorial election.

In the demand of recall for a state officer, petitions must be signed by voters equal in number to 25 percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office to which the officer whose recall is demanded was elected at the preceding election.

There is no geographic distribution requirement for signatures on any of these petitions.

SUMMARY:

For petitions of initiatives, referendums, and recalls of state officers, a pro rata share of the necessary minimum of signatures shall be obtained in each congressional district.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The Secretary of State's office does not collect data on a congressional district basis.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Don Whiting, Office of Secretary of State