SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5705

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.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5705 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; McDermott and Swecker.

Background: The owner of land located in a special district who is a qualified voter of the special district must receive two votes at any election. If multiple undivided interests, other than community property interests, exists in a lot or parcel and no person owns a majority undivided interest, the owners of undivided interests at least equal to a majority interest may designate in writing:

(a) which owner is eligible to vote and may cast two votes; or

(b) which two owners are eligible to vote and may cast one vote each.

If land is owned as community property, each spouse is entitled to one vote if both spouses otherwise qualify to vote, unless one spouse designates in writing that the other spouse may cast both votes.

A corporation, partnership, or governmental entity must designate:

(a) a natural person to cast its two votes; or

(b) two natural persons to each cast one of their votes.

With limited exceptions, no owner of land may cast more than two votes or have more than two votes cast for him or her in a special district election.

Summary of Substitute Bill: All registered voters within a special flood control district consisting of three or more counties are qualified voters in special flood control district elections.

Special flood control districts consisting of three or more counties are exempt from receiving two votes per land owner.

Special flood control districts consisting of three or more counties are not required to have their elections on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in the odd-numbered years.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The current statutes relating to voting in special districts such as flood districts allow land owners to vote and to receive two votes. Floods don't discriminate and only impact land owners. It makes sense to allow all qualified voters in the larger flood districts to vote, regardless of the amount of land they own, if any.