FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6171

                          C 324 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

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

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Haugen, McCaslin and Winsley.

Senate Committee on Government Operations

House Committee on Government Operations

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 top two vote getters appear on the general election ballot.  The cost of a primary election can be burdensome to these districts which often have limited financial resources.

Summary:  No primary is held for the office of commissioner of a park and recreation district or for the office of cemetery district commissioner.  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.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    47 0

House     53 40

Effective:  June 6, 1996