SENATE BILL REPORT

EHJR 4200

BYRepresentatives Haugen, Ferguson, Winsley, May, Rayburn, P. King, Cooper and Jones

Amending the Constitution to provide an alternative method for the framing of a county charter.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989; February 14, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick.

Senate Staff:Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  February 20, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 14, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The state Constitution requires the Legislature to enact legislation providing for a uniform system of county government throughout the state that includes an elected board of county commissioners, and an elected auditor, clerk, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, and treasurer, and such other officers as specified by statute.

The state Constitution provides for a process to alter county government in any county.  This process can be initiated by resolution of the county legislative authority, or by petition of county voters, and involves the election of a board of freeholders to frame a proposed county "home rule" charter that is submitted to the county voters for their approval or rejection.  A county "home rule" charter can alter the make-up of county government.  Five out of 39 counties in the state have adopted such a charter.

SUMMARY:

An alternative process is provided for the framing of a proposed county "home rule" charter that is submitted to county voters for their approval or rejection.

This alternative process involves the appointment of a fifteen member temporary county home rule commission by the Governor to draft five alternative county "home rule" charters.  The temporary commission may exist no longer than one year.  At least one-third of the commission members must be members of the Legislature and elected county officials.  One alternative county "home rule" charter may be placed directly on the ballot for the approval or rejection by county voters in the same manner as the existing process is initiated to frame a proposed county charter, i.e., by either resolution of the county legislative authority, or by the filing of petition that has been signed by county voters at least equal in number to 10 percent of the number of voters in the county who voted at the last preceding general election.

The ballot title for the constitutional amendment shall be "Shall an additional procedure be permitted to simplify the process by which a proposed county charter is placed upon the ballot?"

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:If approved by the voters at the next general election.

Senate Committee - Testified: John McBride, Gary Lowe, Spokane County WSAC