SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6202

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, January 30, 1996

Title:  An act relating to five‑member boards of county commissioners.

Brief Description:  Authorizing smaller counties to have five‑member boards of county commissioners.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen and McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/23/96, 1/30/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The board of commissioners of any noncharter county with a population of 300,000 or more (Spokane) may cause a ballot proposition to be submitted at a general election to the voters of the county increasing the board of commissioners from three to five members.  As an alternative procedure, a ballot proposition can be submitted increasing the board of commissioners from three to five members, upon petition of the county voters equal to at least 10 percent of the voters voting at the last county and general election.  At least 20 percent of the signatures on the petition must come from each of the existing commissioner districts.

Summary of Bill:  Any noncharter county may increase its board of commissioners from three to five members.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  It is too expensive for smaller counties to add two more commissioners.  It will take away a major reason for trying to become a home-rule county.

Testified:  Gary Lowe, Association of Counties (con); K.O. Rosenberg, NE Tri Counties (con).