Z-579                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 4198

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senator Thompson

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

AN ACT Relating to legal advertising; amending RCW 29.27.072 and 29.27.074; and providing an effective date.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 29.27.072, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as amended by section 1, chapter 96, Laws of 1967 and RCW 29.27.072 are each amended to read as follow:

Before each state primary and state general election, the secretary of state shall ((cause)):  (1) Publish notice of the ((proposed constitutional amendments and laws authorizing state debts that are to be submitted to the people to be published)) voter registration deadlines under RCW 29.07.160 and information regarding special services available to voters at least ((four)) two times during the ((four weeks next preceding the)) two weeks preceding the close of voter registration for the state primary and at least two times during the two weeks preceding the close of voter registration for the state general  election in every legal newspaper in the state; and ((shall)) (2) supplement publication ((thereof)) of this notice by an equal amount of radio and television ((broadcast as provided in RCW 65.16.130, 65.16.140, and 65.16.150)) advertising containing similar information.

        Sec. 2.  Section 29.27.074, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as amended by section 2, chapter 96, Laws of 1967 and RCW 29.27.074 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The newspaper and broadcast advertising notice ((provided for in)) under RCW 29.27.072 shall ((set forth)) include at least the following information:

          (((1) A legal identification)) (a) The effect of the voter registration deadlines under RCW 29.07.160; and

(b) The availability of voter registration assistance to disabled and elderly persons.

(2) These notices may also include information to voters about absentee voting, the voters and candidates pamphlet, and the availability of voter registration facilities.  The secretary of state may also include:

(a) The titles of the state measures to be voted upon((.));

          (((2))) (b) The official ballot titles of ((such)) state measures((.));

          (((3) A brief)) (c) Statements explaining the constitutional provisions or state laws as ((it)) they presently exist((s.));

          (((4) A brief)) (d) Statements explaining the effect of the state measures ((should it be)) if approved((.)); and

          (((5))) (e) The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the state senate and house of representatives, if applicable.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     This act shall take effect on December 5, 1985, if the proposed amendment to Article XXIII, section 1 of the state Constitution as proposed in !sc_,10 Joint Resolution No. ___ is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at a general election held on November 5, 1985.  If the proposed amendment is not so approved and ratified, this act shall be null and void in its entirety.