HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2932
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government
Title: An act relating to forgiveness of election costs.
Brief Description: Allowing forgiveness of certain election costs.
Sponsors: Representatives Lantz, McMahan, Haigh, Romero, Rockefeller and Edwards.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 2/5/04 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
• Allows a county governing authority to assume responsibility for the costs of up to two local park and recreation district elections. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; D. Simpson, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Edwards, Moeller and Upthegrove.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Ericksen and Mielke.
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
A city, town, or district is liable for the payment of its own election costs. If a city, town, or district holds an election in conjunction with another local governmental entity, each is liable for its own proportionate share of the costs. A county is not responsible for any costs associated with a city, town, or district election.
Summary of Bill:
The general rule requiring that a local park and recreation district pay its own election costs may be waived by the county governing authority for up to two election cycles, provided that two conditions are met:
• the district board of commissioners of the park and recreation district must petition the county to assume responsibility for the costs of the election(s); and
• the local park and recreation district must have no current operating levy.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (In support) Small, rural park districts are in debt, and in many cases have no means of improving their financial circumstances. Furthermore, many districts have difficulty getting operating levies passed and thus cannot obtain the funds they need to cover expenses. This bill would provide park districts with a means of seeking relief from counties and will provide an avenue for getting out of debt.
Testimony Against: (Opposed with concerns) This bill may set a precedent for other special purpose districts to try to pass-on their costs to counties.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Lantz, Prime Sponsor; and Larry L. Walker, South Kitsap Parks and Recreation.
(Opposed with concerns) Kim Wyman, Washington Association of County Auditors.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.