_______________________________________________
SENATE
BILL 6296
_______________________________________________
Passed
Legislature - 2002 Regular Session
State
of Washington 57th Legislature 2002 Regular Session
By
READ
FIRST TIME 01/14/02. UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES, READ SECOND AND THIRD TIMES AND
PASSED.
Revising timelines for redistricting plans.
AN
ACT Relating to the timeline for submission of a redistricting plan by the
redistricting commission; amending RCW 44.05.100; creating a new section; and
declaring an emergency.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
44.05.100 and 1995 c 88 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
Upon approval of a redistricting plan by three of the voting members of the
commission, but not later than ((December 15th)) January 1st of
the year ending in ((one)) two, the commission shall submit the
plan to the legislature.
(2)
After submission of the plan by the commission, the legislature shall have the
next thirty days during any regular or special session to amend the
commission's plan. If the legislature amends the commission's plan the
legislature's amendment must be approved by an affirmative vote in each house
of two-thirds of the members elected or appointed thereto, and may not include
more than two percent of the population of any legislative or congressional
district.
(3)
The plan approved by the commission, with any amendment approved by the
legislature, shall be final upon approval of such amendment or after expiration
of the time provided for legislative amendment by subsection (2) of this
section whichever occurs first, and shall constitute the districting law
applicable to this state for legislative and congressional elections, beginning
with the next elections held in the year ending in two. This plan shall be in
force until the effective date of the plan based upon the next succeeding
federal decennial census or until a modified plan takes effect as provided in
RCW 44.05.120(6).
(4)
If three of the voting members of the commission fail to approve and submit a
plan within the time limitations provided in subsection (1) of this section,
the supreme court shall adopt a plan by March 1st of the year ending in two.
Any such plan approved by the court is final and constitutes the districting
law applicable to this state for legislative and congressional elections,
beginning with the next election held in the year ending in two. This plan
shall be in force until the effective date of the plan based on the next
succeeding federal decennial census or until a modified plan takes effect as
provided in RCW 44.05.120(6).
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. This
act is remedial and curative in nature and applies retroactively to any plan or
portion of a plan submitted to the legislature by the redistricting commission
established in 2001.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. This
act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or
safety, or support of the state government and its existing public
institutions, and takes effect immediately.
Passed the Senate January 14, 2002.
Passed the House January 16, 2002.
Approved by the Governor
January 22, 2002.
Filed
in Office of Secretary of State January 22, 2002.
