SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5001

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 8, 2001

Title:  An act relating to paper size of initiative and referendum petitions.

Brief Description:  Allowing initiative and referendum petitions on 8 2 by 11 paper.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Johnson, Swecker and Rossi.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/1/01, 2/8/01 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5001 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Horn, McCaslin, Roach and T. Sheldon.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Background:  The size of paper on which initiative and referendum petitions must be printed by their proposers is not less than 11 x 14 inches.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The required size of paper on which initiative and referendum petitions must be printed is reduced to not less than 8  2  x11 inches.  The Secretary of State must adopt rules regarding readability of the petitions.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill did not provide direction to the Secretary of State to adopt rules regarding readability of the petitions.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The letter‑sized paper will facilitate e‑mail and faxing, making dissemination of petitions more cost‑effective.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Henry Paulman, TRUST (pro); David Elliott, Office of Secretary of State.