BILL REQ. #:  H-4235.1 

Read first time 01/23/2004.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to forgiveness of election costs; and amending RCW 29A.04.410.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.04.410 and 2003 c 111 s 146 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every city, town, and district is liable for its proportionate share of the costs when such elections are held in conjunction with other elections held under RCW 29A.04.320 and 29A.04.330.
     Whenever any city, town, or district holds any primary or election, general or special, on an isolated date, all costs of such elections must be borne by the city, town, or district concerned.
     The purpose of this section is to clearly establish that the county is not responsible for any costs involved in the holding of any city, town, or district election, except that in the case of a local park and recreation district with no current operating levy, the county governing authority, in answer to petition by the district board of commissioners as defined in RCW 36.69.090, may waive this requirement and forgive up to two election cycles of debt.
     In recovering such election expenses, including a reasonable pro-ration of administrative costs, the county auditor shall certify the cost to the county treasurer with a copy to the clerk or auditor of the city, town, or district concerned. Upon receipt of such certification, the county treasurer shall make the transfer from any available and appropriate city, town, or district funds to the county current expense fund or to the county election reserve fund if such a fund is established. Each city, town, or district must be promptly notified by the county treasurer whenever such transfer has been completed. However, in those districts wherein a treasurer, other than the county treasurer, has been appointed such transfer procedure does not apply, but the district shall promptly issue its warrant for payment of election costs.