SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6323

As Passed Senate, February 15, 2002

Title:  An act relating to requirements for filing an initiative or referendum.

Brief Description:  Revising initiative filing fee procedures.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Fairley and Winsley; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/17/02, 1/23/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/15/02, 36-12.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Keiser, Kline, McCaslin and Swecker.

Staff:  Mac Nicholson (786‑7445)

Background:  A person submitting a proposed initiative measure or ordering a referendum must file with the Secretary of State a copy of the proposed measure accompanied by a filing fee as set by the secretary of state (currently $5).

Summary of Bill:  The fee for filing an initiative or referendum is increased to a $100 deposit, which is fully refundable upon the filing of the required number of petition signatures as set by the Washington State Constitution (8 percent of the votes cast for the office of Governor at the last gubernatorial election for initiatives, and four percent for referendums).  Signatures of 100 registered voters may be filed in lieu of the fee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The filing fee of $5 was set in 1914 and hasn't been increased.  State resources are wasted as state agencies must process all filed initiatives, including ones that are never pursued.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Sam Reed, Dean Logan, David Elliot, Secretary of State's Office.