SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 3200
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.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, February 22, 2008
Title: An act relating to establishing a cemetery district in a county.
Brief Description: Establishing a cemetery district in a county.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmick, Simpson, Warnick, Schindler and Sullivan.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/08, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/22/08 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, McDermott, Pridemore and Swecker.
Staff: Khalia Gibson (786-7460)
Background: To form a cemetery district, a petition must be signed by more than 15 percent of
the registered voters within the proposed district. The petition is filed with the county auditor,
and must include: the proposed boundaries of the district, the objective of the proposed district,
and a statement that the proposed district is in the best interest of the public.
Within 30 days, the county auditor must examine the signatures and certify them with the county
elections' board. If the petition has a sufficient number of valid signatures, the county auditor will
forward the petition and certificate of sufficiency to the county legislative authority who enters
it into the minutes, and a time and date is set for public hearing.
Summary of Bill: A proposed cemetery district petition must be signed by no less than 10
percent of the registered voters that reside within the boundaries of the proposed district.
A county legislative authority may provide a ballot proposition to create a cemetery district. The
ballot proposition must designate the boundaries of the proposed district or describe the lands to
be included in the proposed district. The ballot proposition must be submitted to the voters
residing within the proposed district.
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is targeted toward rural counties, such as Asotin county, which has trouble getting enough signatures to form a cemetery district. The bill will allow the county legislative authority to place the issue of cemetery districts on the ballot. There is still a high threshold before the district is created.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Joe Schmick, prime sponsor; Juli Murray, Washington State Association of Counties.