SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6278

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1998

Title:  An act relating to specifying the number of signatures required on a petition to place on the ballot the question of changing the name of a port district.

Brief Description:  Specifying the number of signatures required on a petition to place on the ballot the question of changing the name of a port district.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, McCaslin and T. Sheldon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/27/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/98, 44-3.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn, Patterson and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background:  The signatures of at least 250 registered voters residing within a port district are required on a petition to place on the ballot the question of changing the name of the district.

Summary of Bill:  The signatures of at least 10 percent of the voters in the last general port election are required on a petition to place on the ballot the question of changing the name of the port district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The requirement for 250 signatures was established in 1929.  In light of the fact that over 400,000 people voted in an election involving the Port of Seattle in 1997, the proposed signature threshold is more reasonable.  The threshold for port districts and cities will be the same. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Scott Taylor, Washington Public Ports Association (pro).

House Amendment(s):  Name change propositions must be submitted to voters at the next general port election.