SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5176

BYSenators Hansen, Barr, Gaspard, Bauer, Benitz, Newhouse and Bailey

Permitting designation of one polling place to serve several precincts in small irrigation districts.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5176 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Hansen, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bailey, Barr, Gaspard.

Senate Staff:Tom McDonald (786-7404)

                  February 24, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 5, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Irrigation districts must have their elections at a location within each precinct, or the smaller districts, less than 200,000 acres, may have one location in the district as a polling place to serve more than one precinct.  Several of the smaller irrigation districts that have their principal business offices in cities outside the actual boundaries of the district are thereby forbidden from using the office as a polling place.  Because the principal business office is the most identifiable and easily locatable place for the irrigators, the districts would like to have the option of having the office as a polling place during elections. 

SUMMARY:

The smaller irrigation districts, less than 200,000 acres, may use a house or place within the district or the principal place of business as a polling place to serve one or more election precincts.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Irrigation districts less than 200,000 acres are not required to be divided into director divisions as a prerequisite to designating a single polling place to serve more than one election precinct.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Jeanne Dickman, Washington State Water Resources Association