SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5238

               As Passed Senate, March 13, 1995

Title:  An act relating to park and recreation district elections.

Brief Description:  Eliminating the primary in park and recreation district elections.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/14/95, 2/21/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/13/95, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Park and recreation districts are governed by a board of five nonpartisan commissioners.  The commissioners are elected to four-year staggered terms with elections held every odd-numbered year.  Candidates are nominated by running in the September primary, with the two top vote getters for each position advancing to the general election.  If two or fewer persons file to run for a position, there is no primary.  While it is often difficult to find any person willing to run for park and recreation district commissioner, occasionally there are enough candidates to require a primary.  This results in additional election costs to the district.

Summary of Bill:  No primary is held for the office of commissioner of a park and recreation district.  All candidates who file for a 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:  The high cost of a nominating primary is eliminated.  It is unusual to have three or more candidates.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor.