SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5764

                As Passed Senate, March 9, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the redistricting commission.

Brief Description:  Adjusting the procedures of the redistricting commission.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senator Cantu).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/22/95, 3/1/95 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/9/95, 45-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5764 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Every ten years, in the year ending in one, a five-member redistricting committee is appointed to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts to reflect population changes as indicated by the decennial census.  The redistricting commission is required to submit a redistricting plan to the Legislature not later than January 1 of the following year.  The Legislature may amend the plan, but must do so within 30 days of submission and may only do so by a two-thirds vote in each house.  When conducting its business, the commission is required to hold open meetings pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act.

Because the Legislature has a limited amount of time to consider whether to amend a redistricting plan, it is proposed that the latest time for submission be changed to an earlier date.  There is no clear authority for the commission to conduct any of its business in executive session.

Summary of Bill: The redistricting commission must submit a redistricting plan to the Legislature no later than December 15 of the year ending in one. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill gives the Legislature more time to review a redistricting plan.  It also allows more discussion of a plan by the commission in executive session.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Cantu, prime sponsor.