SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5212

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 22, 2001

Title:  An act relating to special county elections.

Brief Description:  Regulating special election dates.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach and West.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/14/01, 2/22/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline, Roach, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Aaron Jennings (786‑7445)

Background:  Every year a statewide general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  Special county elections may be called by a county legislature throughout the year.  The county legislature may call a special election by presenting a resolution to the county auditor. The special county election may be held on: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February, the second Tuesday in March, the fourth Tuesday in April, the third Tuesday in May, the day of the September primary, or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  If a presidential primary is conducted in February, March, April, or May, the date that a county legislature may call for a special election for that month is the date of the primary.     

Summary of Bill:  If a presidential primary is conducted in February, March, April, or May, the date that a county legislature may call for a special county election for that month, or two weeks before or three weeks after the presidential primary, is the date of the presidential primary.  If a noncounty special election is conducted in February, March, April, or May, the date that a county legislature may call for a special county election for that month, or two weeks before or three weeks after the noncounty special election, is the date of the noncounty special election.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.