SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5746



As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 17, 2005

Title: An act relating to requiring the state to assume a share of the costs of state primary and general elections.

Brief Description: Requiring the state to assume a share of primary and general election costs.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Berkey, Fairley, Benson, Prentice, Sheldon, Haugen, McAuliffe, Kline, Schmidt, Mulliken and Kohl-Welles; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/14/05, 2/17/05 [DPS-WM].


SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5746 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: The state assumes a share of election costs in odd numbered years whenever state officers or measures are voted upon in the primary or general election. The county auditor must apportion the state's share when prorationing election costs and file an expense claim with the Secretary of State. The reimbursement for election costs includes interest for any period of time exceeding 30 days after receipt of a properly executed voucher for such expenses.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The state no longer assumes a share of election costs only in odd numbered years. Rather, the state assumes a share of election costs whenever state officers or measures are voted upon at a state primary or general election. Interest is not paid on election cost reimbursements to counties.

The Secretary of State must reimburse the counties for seventy-five percent of the costs of a mandatory recount for a state officer or measure; and for costs of a requested recount for a state officer or measure if the recount changed the results of the election.


Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute adds the provision that the Secretary of State must reimburse the counties for seventy-five percent of the costs of a mandatory recount for a state officer or measure; and for costs of a requested recount for a state officer or measure if the recount changed the results of the election.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 10, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: All jurisdictions except the state must pay their share of election costs in even years, so really its only fair that the state pay theirs. Counties are strapped for cash, and reimbursement from the state for even year election costs is critically needed.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Sam Reed, Shane Hamlin, Katie Blinn, Office of Secretary of State; Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Auditor; Bob Terwilliger, Snohomish County Auditor, David Anderson, Your Vote Counts; Kim Wyman, Thurston County Auditor.