H-856                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1809

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Nealey, Bristow, Prince, Fuhrman, Miller, Doty, McLean and Youngsman

Read first time 2/6/89 and referred to Committee on State Government.

AN ACT Relating to elections; and amending RCW 29.13.047.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 2, chapter 4, Laws of 1973 as last amended by section 2, chapter 45, Laws of 1985 and RCW 29.13.047 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Whenever ((state officers)) federal offices, state-wide offices, legislative offices, or state measures are voted upon at a state primary, special election, or state general election ((held in  an odd-numbered year under RCW 29.13.010)), the state of Washington shall assume a  prorated share of the costs of that state primary, special election, or state general election.

          (2) Whenever a primary or vacancy election is held to fill a vacancy in the position of United States senator or United States representative under chapter 29.68 RCW, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that primary or vacancy election.

          (3) The county auditor shall apportion the state's share of these expenses when prorating election costs under RCW 29.13.045 and shall file such expense claims with the secretary of state.

          (4) The secretary of state shall include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this section.  Reimbursements for election costs  shall be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.