SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5627

                As Passed Senate, March 9, 1995

Title:  An act relating to elections.

Brief Description:  Concerning the proper form of certain ballot titles.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen and Winsley; by request of Attorney General.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/7/95, 3/1/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/9/95, 47-0.

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:  The Attorney General is required to prepare ballot titles for statewide measures submitted to the voters.  Ballot measures include a proposed constitution, constitutional amendments, initiatives and referendums.  Except in the case of referendums, the ballot title is a statement posed as a question, not exceeding 20 words.

Summary of Bill:  The concise statement prepared by the Attorney General for statewide ballot measures must not exceed 25 words.  While the term "referendum bill" is expressly added to the ballot measures covered by the amended subsection, other statutory provisions that provide for different treatment of referendum bills are not repealed or amended.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Measures are becoming increasingly complex.  It is very difficult to capture the essence of the proposal in 20 words.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Elaine Rose, Attorney General's Office (pro).