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

HJR 4207

Brief Description:  Requiring a geographic distribution of initiative petition signatures.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Kessler, Clements and Buck.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Limits the number of initiative petition signatures that may come from voters residing in any congressional district to no more than one‑sixth the total amount necessary to submit the measure to the Legislature or the people.

Hearing Date:  2/9/01

Staff:  Jim Morishima (786‑7191).

Background: 

There are two types of initiatives: initiatives to the people and initiatives to the Legislature.  Certified initiatives to the people appear on the general election ballot.  Certified initiatives to the Legislature are brought before the Legislature.  In order to be certified, an initiative petition must contain a number of signatures of registered voters equal to at least four percent of the number of votes cast for the office of Governor at the last gubernatorial election.

Summary of Bill: 

After January 1, 2003, the Secretary of State may not validate initiative petition signatures from any congressional district exceeding one‑sixth of the total number of signatures required for submission of the measure to the Legislature or the people.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.