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                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 188

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Fisher, Barnes, Pruitt and Unsoeld; by request of Secretary of State

Read first time 1/20/87 and referred to Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics.

AN ACT Relating to the time for filing initiatives; amending RCW 29.79.020; and declaring an emergency.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 29.79.020, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 and RCW 29.79.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          Initiative measures proposed to be submitted to the people must be filed with the secretary of state within ten months prior to the election at which they are to be submitted, and the petitions therefor must be filed with the secretary of state not less than four months before the next general state-wide election.

          Initiative measures proposed to be submitted to the legislature must be filed with the secretary of state within ten months prior to the next regular session of the legislature at which they are to be submitted and the petitions therefor must be filed with the secretary of state not less than ten days before such regular session of the legislature.

          A petition ordering that any act or part thereof passed by the legislature be referred to the people must be filed with the secretary of state within ninety days after the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the act was passed.  It may be submitted at the next general state-wide election or at a special election ordered by the legislature.

A proposed initiative or referendum measure may be filed no earlier than the opening of the secretary of state's office for business pursuant to RCW 42.04.060 on the first day filings are permitted, and any initiative or referendum petition must be filed not later than the close of business on the last business day in the specified period for submission of signatures.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.