SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 313

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, Schmidt, Haugen and Hine)

Reducing park district commission terms to four years.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman, Rinehart, Vice Chairman, Hansen, Kiskaddon.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  March 24, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 23, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Park and recreation districts are special districts authorized to provide park and recreation facilities and services.  Such districts are governed by a district board of commissioners.  The board of county commissioners in the formation of a district, is to set boundaries and divide the district into five subdivisions. A resident elector serves initially from each subdivision and shall serve as candidates for election to the initial board of district commissioners.

District commissioner elections are to be held biennially in conjunction with the general election in each odd-numbered year.  An elector may reside anywhere within the district after the initial election.  Commissioners shall serve for staggered six-year terms until their successors are elected and qualified and have assumed office in accordance with RCW 29.04.170.  At the initial election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes serves the full six-year term, with those receiving lesser votes to serve shorter terms in order to create the staggered terms.

SUMMARY:

The terms of office for the commissioners of a park and recreation district are reduced from six years to four years.  Procedures for declaring candidacy and the conduct of the election is governed by Title 29 RCW, the conduct of general elections.  For initial elections following formation of the district, provisions are made for reduced terms of the three candidates receiving the least number of votes in order to create staggered terms.  A similar provision is made in the event that only two commissioners are to be elected at the November, 1987 general election.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Barry Morrisroe, Bainbridge Island Park and Recreation District Commissioner