Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 2331

Brief Description:  Revising initiative filing fee procedures.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, McDermott and Schmidt; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases the fee required to file an initiative or referendum to $100.  Requires proposers of an initiative or referendum to deposit a $100 fee, which is refundable if:  1) sufficient petitions have been printed and delivered; and 2) the required number of signatures has been obtained.

Hearing Date:  1/25/02

Staff:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

The State's constitution guarantees to the people the power to propose, enact, or reject bills and laws through the initiative and referendum process.  Any person who wishes to submit a proposed initiative measure to the people, or order that a referendum of all or part of any act, bill or law passed by the Legislature be submitted to the people, must file the measure with the Secretary of State, along with an affidavit that the proposer is a legal voter and a filing fee, currently  $5. 

Summary of Bill:

The filing fee prescribed under statute is deleted and a deposit of $100 is required.  The deposit is fully refundable as long as one of the following conditions are met:

1.The petitioner must file an affidavit from a printer confirming that the sufficient number of petitions have been printed and delivered to the petitioner; or

2.The filing of the required number of signatures is obtained.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.