Title: An act relating to election dates for educational service district board members.

Brief Description: Regarding election dates for educational service district board members.

Sponsors: Representatives Fromhold, Priest, P. Sullivan, Quall, Kenney and Moeller; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/06/07, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/15/07, 3/26/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Clements, Eide, Hobbs, Kauffman, Oemig and Rasmussen.

Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)

Background: There are nine educational service districts (ESDs) in Washington, each serving a specific region of the state. Prior to 2006, elections of the ESD board members were held every odd-numbered year in each ESD with a board member whose term of office expired the following January. The board members hold four-year terms and are elected on a rotating cycle.

In 2006, the Washington Legislature transferred the responsibility to conduct elections for ESD board members from the State Board of Education to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). SPI is directed to call an election by August 25 of every even-numbered year in each ESD with a member whose term of office expires the following January.

Summary of Bill: The date of elections for educational service districts with one or more members whose terms expire the following January is changed from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.