BILL REQ. #:  S-0742.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to limiting changes to commissioner districts during commissioner elections and election filing periods; and amending RCW 36.32.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 36.32.020 and 1982 c 226 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board of county commissioners of each county shall divide their county into three commissioner districts so that each district shall comprise as nearly as possible one-third of the population of the county: PROVIDED, That the territory comprised in any voting precincts of such districts shall remain compact, and shall not be divided by the lines of said districts.
     However, the commissioners of any county composed entirely of islands and with a population of less than thirty-five thousand may divide their county into three commissioner districts without regard to population, except that if any single island is included in more than one district, the districts on such island shall comprise, as nearly as possible, equal populations.
     The lines of the districts shall not be changed ((oftener)) more than once in four years and only when a full board of commissioners is present. The lines of the districts shall not be changed during the period beginning thirty days before the first day of the period allowed under RCW 29A.24.081 for the filing of a declaration of candidacy by mail and ending the day after the county canvassing board certifies the general election results under RCW 29A.60.190. The districts shall be designated as districts numbered one, two, and three.