HB 2182

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2182

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Creating more uniform districting requirements for large and small port districts.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Schual-Berke, McDermott, Cody, Upthegrove and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires all port districts to be divided into commissioner districts and eliminates the exception applicable to certain large port districts.

Authorizes all port districts that use commissioner districts to cease using commissioner districts, provided specified requirements are met.

Requires port districts with a population of one million or more to have five commissioners and five commissioner districts with approximately equal population.

Hearing Date: 2/1/08

Staff: Lyset Cadena (786-7291).

Background:

General Rules Regarding Port Districting
The powers of port districts are executed by port commissions consisting of three or, when permitted, five members. Port districts within a county having a population of 500,000 or more that are not county-wide must be divided into the same number of commissioner districts as commissioner positions, each having approximately equal population.

In those port districts with commissioner districts, only a registered voter that resides in a commissioner district may be a candidate for, or hold office as, a commissioner of that commissioner district. Only the voters of a commissioner district may vote at a primary to nominate candidates for that district. However, commissioners are elected at-large at the general election.

Subject to voter approval, port districts with five commissioners may have two commissioner districts that are coextensive with the entire port district.

Elimination of Commissioner Districts
Port districts that are not county-wide and use commissioner districts may cease using commissioner districts, subject to voter approval and other requirements.

Increasing the Number of Commissioners
Port districts with three commissioners may increase the number of port commissioners to five through a ballot proposition submitted to the voters.

In those port districts with three commissioners whose population reaches 500,000, a ballot proposition must be submitted to the voters proposing increasing the number of commissioners to five.

Summary of Bill:

All port districts, regardless of population and size, must be divided into the same number of commissioner districts as there are commissioner positions, each district having approximately equal population. Any port district using commissioner districts may cease using commissioner districts, regardless of the size of the port district.

Port districts with a population of one million or more must have five commissioners, and must be divided into five commissioner districts, each district having approximately equal population. If a port district fails to comply with this requirement, the port commissioners in office must:

retain their positions for the remainder of their terms and until their successors are elected and qualified; and
the successors assume office in accordance with state election requirements.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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