SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5004

              As Passed Senate, January 20, 1999

Title:  An act relating to validation of school bond elections.

Brief Description:  Remedying a technical problem in school bond elections.

Sponsors:  Senators Loveland, Winsley and Patterson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/14/99, 1/18/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 1/20/99, 38-8.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn and Kline.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  Except for a local election wherein the city or county chooses to mail a local voters= pamphlet to each residence, notice for any state, county, district, or municipal election, whether special or general, must be given by at least one publication not more than ten nor less than three days prior to the election by the county auditor or the officer conducting the election.

A school bond election in Asotin County failed to meet the publication of notice requirement.  Although authorized by the voters to issue bonds, the school district is withholding such issuance until the bond election is validated.

Summary of Bill:  All school district elections held on May 19, 1998, at which the number and proportion of persons required by law voted to authorize bonds or tax levies, are validated regardless of any failure to publish notice of the election.  A challenge of the validity of any such election must be brought within thirty days after the effective date of this act.  Publication of notice of this act is specified.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill is necessary so that the bonds, which were approved, can be sold.  Also, a state capital construction matching grant is at stake.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Loveland (pro).