SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5414

As of February 13, 2003

Title: An act relating to information on the fiscal and policy impact of state ballot measures.

Brief Description: Informing voters of the fiscal and policy impacts of state ballot measures.

Sponsors: Senators Deccio, Thibaudeau, Winsley, McCaslin, Keiser, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Morton, Stevens, Brandland, Mulliken, Franklin, B. Sheldon, Regala, Fraser, Carlson, Kline, Parlette, Schmidt, McAuliffe, Oke, Rasmussen and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/14/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: The Office of Financial Management (OFM), in consultation with other state or local agencies, is required to prepare a fiscal impact statement for an initiative to the people that is certified to the ballot; an initiative to the Legislature that will appear on the ballot; a ballot measure proposed as an alternative to an initiative to the Legislature; a referendum bill referred to voters by the Legislature; and a referendum measure appearing on the ballot. The fiscal impact statements must be written in clear and concise language and describe any projected increase or decrease in revenues, costs, indebtedness, or expenditures that state or local governments will experience.

Proponents of a ballot measure that reduces revenues for state or local government are not required to explain which government services or programs should be reduced or eliminated as a result of the decrease in revenues.

Summary of Bill: The statement prepared by OFM must include a description of any projected increase or decrease in the sales tax. If the ballot measure proposes to reduce, in any way, revenues for state government or indirectly for local government, the proponents of the measure must explain clearly, in a prepared statement, which government services or programs should be reduced or eliminated as a result of the decrease in revenues.

The service or program reduction statement prepared by the proponents of the ballot measure must be included in the voters' pamphlet prepared by the Secretary of State.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.