5705-S AMS DECC S2327.1

SSB 5705 - S AMD 139

By Senators Deccio and Patterson

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 29.79 RCW to read as follows:

    The office of financial management, in consultation with the secretary of state, the attorney general, and any other appropriate state or local agency, shall prepare for any statewide ballot measure that has been certified to the ballot and for which public funds would be required for its implementation, a fiscal impact statement.  Fiscal impact statements must be written in clear and concise language and avoid legal and technical terms when possible, and they may include easily understood graphics.

    A fiscal impact statement must describe any projected increase or decrease in revenues, costs, expenditures, or indebtedness that the state or local governments will experience if the initiative is approved by state voters.  Where appropriate, a fiscal impact statement may include both estimated dollar amounts and a description placing estimated dollar amounts into context.  A fiscal impact statement must include both a summary of not to exceed one hundred words and a more detailed statement that includes the assumptions that were made to develop the fiscal impacts.

    Fiscal impact statements must be available on line from the secretary of state's web site and included in the state voters' pamphlet.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 29.79.040 and 2000 c 197 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Within five days after the receipt of an initiative or referendum the attorney general shall formulate the ballot title, or portion of the ballot title that the legislature has not provided, required by RCW 29.79.035 and a summary of the measure, not to exceed seventy-five words, and transmit the serial number for the measure, complete ballot title, and summary to the secretary of state.  Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted in calculating the time limits in this section.

(2) If an initiative increases spending, the following wording in bold type must appear after the ballot title:

"If this measure passes, a tax increase or a new tax may be required or cuts to state services may occur."

This statement must appear in bold print along with the ballot title on all documents in which the ballot title is required to appear, and must appear in all forms of advertising and displays.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 29.81.250 and 1999 c 260 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    The secretary of state shall determine the format and layout of the voters' pamphlet.  The secretary of state shall print the pamphlet in clear, readable type on a size, quality, and weight of paper that in the judgment of the secretary of state best serves the voters.  The pamphlet must contain a table of contents.  Federal and state offices must appear in the pamphlet in the same sequence as they appear on the ballot.  Measures and arguments must be printed in the order specified by RCW 29.79.300.

    The voters' pamphlet must provide the following information for each statewide issue on the ballot:

    (1) The legal identification of the measure by serial designation or number;

    (2) The official ballot title of the measure;

    (3) A statement prepared by the attorney general explaining the law as it presently exists;

    (4) A statement prepared by the attorney general explaining the effect of the proposed measure if it becomes law;

    (5) The fiscal impact statement prepared under section 1 of this act;

(6) The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in the senate and house of representatives, if the measure has been passed by the legislature;

    (((6))) (7) An argument advocating the voters' approval of the measure together with any statement in rebuttal of the opposing argument;

    (((7))) (8) An argument advocating the voters' rejection of the measure together with any statement in rebuttal of the opposing argument;

    (((8))) (9) Each argument or rebuttal statement must be followed by the names of the committee members who submitted them, and may be followed by a telephone number that citizens may call to obtain information on the ballot measure;

    (((9))) (10) The full text of each measure."

SSB 5705 - S AMD 139

By Senators Deccio and Patterson

    In line 1 of the title, after "initiatives;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 29.79.040 and 29.81.250; and adding a new section to chapter 29.79 RCW."

                            --- END ---