SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6171

              As Passed Senate, February 5, 1996

Title:  An act relating to special purpose district elections.

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

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Haugen, McCaslin and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/18/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/5/96, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

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 of Bill:  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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.