H-3378.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2635
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 2000 Regular Session
By Representatives Romero, Wolfe and Haigh
Read first time 01/18/2000. Referred to Committee on State Government.
AN ACT Relating to special elections to authorize increases in taxes, rates, or other monetary charges as required by Initiative Measure No. 695; adding a new section to chapter 29.13 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The purpose of this act is to respond to the requirements of Initiative Measure No. 695 that require voter approval of increases in taxes, rates, and other monetary charges by allowing ballot propositions for such purposes to be submitted to voters at special elections held at any date if the election is conducted using mail ballots. Mail ballot elections are less costly than traditional elections, and more voters cast ballots when elections are conducted using mail ballots than when conducted using traditional polling place voting. To further reduce costs, local governments and state agencies are encouraged to submit such ballot propositions at special elections held on the same day. It is further the purpose of this act to encourage these special elections to be held at dates other than the traditional special election, primary, and general election dates to avoid extremely long ballots when voters are considering other matters.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 29.13 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The governing body of a county, city, town, or special purpose district may cause one or more ballot propositions to be submitted for voters authorizing an increase in a tax, fee, or other monetary charge at a special election conducted by mail ballot. A single ballot proposition may authorize a single or multiple increases. Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 29.13.010 and 29.13.020, the special election may be held on any date.
(2) A state agency may cause one or more ballot propositions to be submitted to voters state-wide authorizing an increase in a fee or other monetary charge at a special election conducted by mail ballot, if the state agency pays for the cost of the election out of its current budget. A single ballot proposition may authorize a single or multiple increases. Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 29.13.010 and 29.13.020, the special election may be held on any date.
(3) A resolution by a local government requesting such a special election must be presented to the county auditor at least forty-five days before the specified election date. The county auditor must call the special election to be held on the date specified in the resolution. A notice by a state agency requesting such a special election must be presented to the secretary of state at least forty-five days before the specified election date. The secretary of state must call the special election to be held on the date specified in the notice.
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