SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5141

As Passed Senate, March 9, 2001

Title:  An act relating to nonpartisan sheriffs.

Brief Description:  Requiring nonpartisan sheriffs.

Sponsors:  Senators Hale, Patterson, Costa, McCaslin, Haugen, Sheahan, Finkbeiner, Carlson, Hochstatter, Oke, Winsley and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/24/01, 1/31/01 [DP].

Passed Senate:  3/9/01, 29-20.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Horn.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  The office of sheriff is a partisan office in all counties, except those with home rule charters.  In the five counties with home rule charters, the office of sheriff is as follows:  Clallam, King, Snohomish, Whatcom B nonpartisan; Pierce B appointed.

Summary of Bill:  The office of sheriff is a nonpartisan office, except in a county for which the position is declared to be a partisan office by the county=s home rule charter.  Candidates for the office of county sheriff are nominated in nonpartisan primaries.  A vacancy in the office of sheriff is filled by appointment of the board of county commissioners.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is a professional position.  Party affiliation should not be a factor as to who is the most qualified candidate.  All five home rule charter counties have nonpartisan sheriffs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Sheriff Mike Hawley, Island County; Sheriff Rick Bart, Snohomish County; Undersheriff Pat Lee, King County; Sheriff Dale Brandland.