SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6370

BYSenators von Reichbauer, DeJarnatt, Patrick, McCaslin and Thorsness

Changing provisions relating to changing the name of a city or town.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 22, 1990; January 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Rod McAulay (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  March 2, 1990

House Committe on Local Government

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The procedure for changing the name of a city or town is initiated by the filing of a petition signed by fifty resident electors.  The question of whether or not to change the name is placed on the ballot at the next municipal election which can be up to two years later. (Municipal elections are conducted in November of odd-numbered years.)

If a majority of voters approve the ballot question, any 25 resident electors may nominate new names up until 20 days prior to the next succeeding municipal election--two years after the first vote.

The name receiving the most votes and at least 40 percent of the votes shall become the name of the city or town at the time the officers elected at that same election begin their terms.

If no name receives at least 40 percent of the vote, the two names receiving the highest vote will be resubmitted for vote at the next succeeding municipal election--four years following the first vote.

At a minimum, a name change will take approximately twenty-seven months exclusive of the time to gather signatures on the initial petition.  At a maximum, it could take six years and three months plus the time to gather signatures.

For the city of Seattle, less than .01 percent of the resident electors can initiate an election.  For the town of Krupp, more than 75 percent of the resident electors would have to petition for a change.

SUMMARY:

A petition for an election to change the name of a city or town needs to be signed by resident electors equal in number to, at least, 10 percent of the vote cast at the last general municipal election or incorporation election if there has been no general election since incorporating.  If the petition is sufficient, the city or town clerk will, within 15 days of receipt, file a certificate of sufficiency with the legislative body.  The vote on a name change will then be scheduled at the next statewide general election which is more than 90 but less than 180 days after the petition is filed.  If there is no statewide general election within this time frame, a special election will be scheduled.

For 45 days following the filing of a certificate of sufficiency, names may be submitted and placed on the ballot if supported by petitions signed by resident electors equal in number to 5 percent of the vote cast at the last general municipal election or incorporating election.

The ballot will provide, first, for a vote on whether to change the name; and second on the preferred name of those nominated.

The name receiving the highest vote and at least 40 percent of the vote will become the name of the city or town 45 days after the election is certified.  If no name receives 40 percent of the vote, the two names receiving the most votes will be placed on a ballot at the next statewide general election occurring not less than 90 nor more than 180 days after the election results have been certified or at a special election to be scheduled within the same time frame.

At a minimum, a name change will take approximately five months. At a maximum, it could take approximately 14 months.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Gary McIntosh, Office of Secretary of State

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

A city or town may initiate name change by resolution of a city or town council in addition to the petition method.  The nomination of a specific name is consolidated into the initial resolution or petition.  In determining the number of names needed to certify a petition in a newly incorporated city or town that has not had city officials elected at a normal general election, the clerk shall refer to the election at which the initial city officials were elected as a base.  The provisions are removed for special elections and provides that the initial election on a name change and any run-off elections be scheduled at the time of state-wide general elections, but at least 60 days after the initial resolution or petition was adopted or filed.