Brief Description: Changing requirements for petitions in cities and towns.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Dunn, Fromhold, Wallace and Clibborn.

Hearing Date: 2/21/05

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

State law contains specified procedural and substantive rules governing the use of the various voter/property owner petitions initiated in accordance with the governance procedures required of cities and towns. The rules governing this petition process include those pertaining to:

• petition formats;
• textual requirements;
• persons allowed to sign petitions;
• determination of signature validity; and
• validity of signatures by authorized officers of property-owning corporations.

A corporate officer who is authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf of a corporation may be allowed to sign a petition on behalf of that corporation, but only if the officer attaches to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws showing that he/she has such authority.

Summary of Bill:

A duly authorized corporate officer may sign a petition on behalf of a corporation without requiring that he/she attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws of such corporation evidencing his/her authority to sign.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.