FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2528

C 26 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Providing for the coordination of continuity of operations efforts for elections.

Sponsors: House Committee on Public Safety (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins and Wylie).

House Committee on Public Safety

Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections

Background:

Responsibility for Administering Elections.

The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer, and is responsible for supervising state and local elections, certifying results, filing and verifying initiatives and referendums, and producing and distributing voter pamphlets. County auditors are responsible for maintaining voter registration and for conducting state and local elections in counties.

Continuity of Operations Planning.

The Washington Military Department (Military Department), under the direction of the Adjutant General, administers the state's comprehensive program of emergency management. In this capacity, the Adjutant General is responsible for coordinating the activities of all organizations for emergency management within the state, and must maintain liaison and cooperate with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and the federal government.

One of the responsibilities of the Adjutant General is to develop and manage a program for interagency coordination and prioritization of continuity of operations planning by state agencies. Continuity of operations planning is the internal effort of an organization to assure that the capability exists to continue essential functions and services in response to a comprehensive array of potential emergencies or disasters. Each state agency must develop a continuity of operations plan that is updated and exercised annually in compliance with the program for interagency coordination of continuity of operations planning.

The Secretary of State is required to maintain a continuity of operations plan that includes procedures for continuation of its essential functions, including elections-related activities, in the event of a disaster or emergency. Under rule, in the event of a natural or manmade disaster, the Secretary of State must consult with county auditors of impacted counties to determine the impact of the disaster on the administration of elections and how to best mitigate the impact, and may adopt emergency rules and procedures as necessary to facilitate elections administration.

Summary:

The Military Department, through the Adjutant General, must maintain a copy of the continuity of operations plan for election operations for each county that has a plan available.

Votes on Final Passage: