HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6171

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Government Operations

Title:  An act relating to special purpose district elections.

Brief Description:  Eliminating primary elections for certain special purpose district commissioners.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Haugen, McCaslin and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  2/21/96, 2/23/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Cairnes, Vice Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Mulliken; D. Schmidt and Van Luven.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Hymes; Scheuerman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Scott White (786-7153).

Background:  Park and recreation districts and cemetery districts are governed by boards of commissioners elected to four-year terms on a nonpartisan basis.  If more than two candidates file and qualify for an open commissioner position, a primary is conducted, and the two candidates receiving the most votes appear on the general election ballot.

Summary of Bill:  The proposed legislation amends existing laws by eliminating the use of a primary election for the office of commissioner of a park and recreation district or for the office of cemetery district commissioner.  Instead, all candidates filing and qualifying for election to an open commissioner position appear on the general election ballot, and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will save taxpayers and candidates money by eliminating unnecessary primary elections for two positions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor.