SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6477

BYSenators McCaslin, Bender, Cantu, Fleming and Gaspard; by request of Secretary of State

Clarifying procedures for sharing costs of state primaries and general elections.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Zimmerman, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Garrett, Metcalf.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  February 2, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state reimburses counties for costs attributable to electing state officers and having state measures on the ballot in odd-year state primary and general elections.  The state does not share in the expense of administering even-year general elections, nor in the expense of electing federal officers, unless an election is held to fill a vacancy in the federal House of Representatives or Senate.

SUMMARY:

The state shall reimburse counties for costs attributable to electing state and federal officers and having state measures on the ballot in all state primaries and general elections. In even-year general elections, the reimbursement shall be phased in as follows:  in 1990, the state will pay only 25 percent of these costs; in 1992, only 50 percent of these costs; and in 1994, only 75 percent of these costs.  In all other years it will pay all of the costs.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:January 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Karen Fraser, Washington State Association of Counties