HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 2562

Signature requirement/name change/port district      Hrg Date:  1/27/98

Brief Title

Reps. D. Schmidt/Scott                                    Staff: Caroleen Dineen

Sponsor                                     Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7156

BACKGROUND:

Port districts are municipal corporations authorized to control and manage specified functions, including harbor and industrial improvements and rail, motor, air and water transfer and terminal facilities.  A county legislative authority: (a) may decide to submit a proposal to create a port district to county voters; or (b) is required to submit a proposal upon receipt of a petition requesting such a vote that is signed by at least 10 percent of registered county voters based on the total vote in the last general county election.  The proposal to create a port district is approved by majority vote.

The corporate name of any port district may be changed under certain conditions. The port district commissioners are required to submit a proposal to change the name of the port district upon receiving a petition requesting such a change that is signed by at least 250 registered voters residing in the port district.  The name change proposal is approved by majority vote. 

SUMMARY:

The minimum number of signatures required to submit a name change proposal to voters is increased in statute.  Port district commissioners are required to submit a name change proposal to port district voters upon receiving a petition requesting such a change that is signed by at least 10 percent of port district voters who voted at the last general port election.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.