Title: An act relating to nonpartisan sheriffs.

Brief Description: Authorizing nonpartisan sheriffs.

Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Brandland, Kline, Spanel, Haugen, Rockefeller and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/22/05, 3/1/05 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin and Pridemore.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton and Mulliken.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The office of sheriff is a partisan office in all counties, except those with home rule charters. In the five counties with home rule charters, the office of sheriff is as follows: Clallam, King, Snohomish, Whatcom, (nonpartisan); Pierce, (appointed).

Summary of Bill: The office of sheriff is a nonpartisan office, except in a county for which the county home rule charter provides otherwise.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: County sheriffs should not be partisan because of what they do. It's one of those type positions. This is a zero cost, good public policy bill that adds a little trust where maybe trust is lacking in government.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Glenn Dunnham, citizen; Gary Edwards, Thurston County Sheriff.