SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6837

BYSenators Thorsness and Metcalf

Restricting terms and candidacies of elected state officials.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 31, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6837 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                February 1, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

There is no limitation in the State Constitution or law on the number of terms which may be held by members of Legislature or by the statewide elected officials.  It has been suggested that setting such a limit would open the process of elective public service to a greater number of qualified candidates.

SUMMARY:

The terms of statewide elected officials are limited to 12 years in the same office.  No incumbent in any of these offices may file for election to any other.

The terms of legislators are limited to 12 years in either body, and to a total of 24 years in the Legislature.  No incumbent in either house may file for election to the other.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Additional Background:  Among the states, Washington is one which has the most fragmented executive branch, with a longer ballot of statewide elected officials than most.  Among the chief executive officers of major policy departments which are elected are the State Auditor, the Commissioner of Public Lands and the Insurance Commissioner.  Under Article III, Sec. 25 of the State Constitution, the offices of Auditor and Commissioner of Public Lands may be abolished by the Legislature.  The Insurance Commissioner's office has been elective by statute at least since 1911, but is not referenced in the Constitution.

Summary:  No statewide official may be elected more than three times, and no person who was appointed or succeeded to one of these offices for more than two years may be elected to that office more than twice.

No state senator may be elected more than three times, nor may a person who held the position for more than two years of a term may be elected to the Senate more than twice.  No person may be elected to the House of Representatives more than six times, nor may any person who held a position for more than one year of a term be elected more than five times.  No incumbent legislator may file for election in the opposite house.

The offices of State Auditor, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner are made appointive by the Governor.  Statutory provisions relating to the cabinet departments, chief executive officers of the Governor's cabinet, the list of statewide elected officials and the list of appointive officials who must file financial reports with the Public Disclosure Commission are amended accordingly.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   No one