SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2433

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, February 24, 2004

Title: An act relating to appearing on a ballot for two offices.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to a candidate appearing on a ballot for two offices.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Hatfield, Clements, Haigh, Grant, Armstrong, Blake, Sump and Condotta).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/24/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: A candidate filing for office generally may not file for more than one office, or appear on the ballot for more than one office. The two exceptions to this rule are for the office of precinct committee officer (PCO) and filings for a temporary position, such as charter review board member or freeholder.

Compensation for some elective positions, such as fire districts, water districts, sewer districts, public hospital districts, metropolitan park districts, school boards, and some town councils, is paid on a per diem or per meeting basis. The per diem or per meeting compensation is usually $50 or $70, not to exceed $4,800 or $6,720 respectively per year. If compensation for a position is on per diem or per meeting basis, candidates are not required to pay a filing fee.

Summary of Bill: Offices that are paid on a per diem basis or per meeting basis, and therefore do not require a filing fee, are the third exception to the general rule that a candidate may not run for more than one office during the same election.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.

Testimony For: This is a terrific small town bill.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Brian Hatfield, prime sponsor (pro).