SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5071

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, January 11, 1996

Title:  An act relating to local voters' pamphlets.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to local voters' pamphlets.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Winsley and Sheldon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/26/95, 3/1/95 [DPS]; 1/11/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5071 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Counties may publish voters' pamphlets for primary and general elections.  The pamphlet must include the elective offices and ballot measures of the county.   It must also include the elective offices and ballot measures of each unit of local government located entirely within the county that will appear on the ballot at that primary or general election.  Local government units that overlap the county boundaries and are not entirely within the county do not have to participate in the voters' pamphlet.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  If a county publishes a voters' pamphlet for a primary or general election, the pamphlet must include the elective offices and ballot measures for each unit of local government located within the county that is going to appear on the ballot at that primary or general election.

A county or first-class city or code city must adopt an ordinance authorizing a voters' pamphlet for a special election at least 45 days prior to the election.  The pamphlet may be published in printed or electronic format or both.  The county auditor must notify local jurisdictions of a primary or general election voters' pamphlet by the preceding May 1.

A local voters' pamphlet may include either the full text or a ballot title and explanatory statement.  If the full text is not printed, it must be made available on request.  The explanatory statement shall not intentionally be an argument likely to create prejudice for or against the measure.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill only authorized a county to require the inclusion of other local jurisdiction candidates and measures in a local voters' pamphlet regardless of whether the jurisdiction is partially or entirely within the county.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 17, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.