SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5520
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
State & Local Government, February 8, 2001
Title: An act relating to information about ballot measures.
Brief Description: Providing fiscal impact statements for ballot measures.
Sponsors: Senators Patterson, Horn, Haugen, Spanel, Kohl‑Welles, Gardner and Winsley.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State & Local Government: 2/1/01, 2/8/01 [DPS‑WM].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5520 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline and McCaslin.
Staff: Diane Smith (786‑7410)
Background: Initiative measures are not subjected to an independent fiscal analysis.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Fiscal impact statements are required for initiatives to the people and to the Legislature; legislative alternatives to initiatives; referendum bills referred to the voters; and referendum measures on the ballot. These statements are prepared by the Office of Financial Management in consultation with the Secretary of State, Attorney General and any other appropriate state or local agency. They must be clear and concise; contain a summary not exceeding 100 words; and contain a more detailed statement including the assumptions underlying the conclusions as to the fiscal impact of the measure.
The statement must include projected increases or decreases in revenues, costs, expenditures or indebtedness that state or local government will experience if the measure is approved by the voters.
The statement must be available online and included in the state voters= pamphlet.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill provided for OFM to consult only with the Secretary of State.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Fiscal impact statements open new sources of information about the effect of initiatives without fear of violating the PDC and ethics laws. It opens up debate.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Steve Gano (pro); Jim King (concerns); Paul Telford, Citizens for Responsible Govt (concerns); Shawn Merchant, Secretary of State; Wolfgang Opitz, OFM (pro); Just Justin, AWC (pro); Stephanie Bowman, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce (pro).