SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2632
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 & Security, February 25, 2016
Title: An act relating to gender requirements in the election of chair and vice chair positions for state committees of political parties.
Brief Description: Concerning gender requirements in the election of chair and vice chair positions for state committees of political parties.
Sponsors: House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Van Werven, S. Hunt, Moscoso, Dent, Wilson, Vick, Manweller, Muri, Scott and Magendanz).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/17/16, 90-8.
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 2/25/16, 2/25/16 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Pearson, Vice Chair; Dansel, Habib and Takko.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator McCoy.
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background: A major political party is a party whose nominee received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast at the last presidential election. Each major political party has a county central committee composed of each precinct's officers. The county central committee elects one councilman and one councilwoman to serve on the state party committee.
The state party committee may call a state convention, elect delegates to the party's national convention, and nominate presidential electors. The state party committee must elect a chair and vice chair of opposite sexes.
Summary of Bill: The requirement that the chair and vice chair of a state major political party committee be of opposite sexes is removed.
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: Government should not be dictating the structure of political parties.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Van Werven, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.