HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2954

                      As Passed House:

                      February 10, 1998

Title:  An act relating to candidate declaration filings in districts comprising more than one county.

Brief Description:  Specifying declaration of candidacy requirements for school director candidates in joint districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Eickmeyer, Schoesler, D. Sommers, McMorris and Cole.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/3/98, 2/5/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/10/98, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  John Carmichael (786-7093).

Background:  In voting districts with territory in more than one county, declarations of candidacy are filed with the county auditor in the county where the majority of registered voters in the district reside for all non-partisan offices, except judicial offices.

A joint school district includes territory in more than one county.  For administrative purposes, the State Board of Education decides to which county a joint school district primarily belongs.  The county auditor in this county is responsible for running school director elections.  However, declarations of candidacy are filed with the county auditor in the county where the majority of registered voters in the district reside, according to the rule for non-partisan offices.

Summary of Bill:  Declarations of candidacy for school directors in joint school districts are filed with the county auditor in the county to which the district primarily belongs, as determined by the State Board of Education.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will clarify that the county auditor responsible for running a school director election is also responsible for receiving the declarations of candidacy.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Dave Schmidt, prime sponsor; and Lorraine Wilson, Washington State School Directors' Association.