BILL REQ. #:  S-3560.1 

Read first time 01/21/2004.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to costs of elections; amending RCW 29A.04.410; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.04.410 and 2003 c 111 s 146 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every city, town, and district is liable for its proportionate share of the costs when such elections are held in conjunction with other elections held under RCW 29A.04.320 and 29A.04.330. The proportionate share of each city, town, and district shall not include any costs associated with the election of any statewide officer or ballot measure in even-numbered years.
     Whenever any city, town, or district holds any primary or election, general or special, on an isolated date, all costs of such elections must be borne by the city, town, or district concerned.
     The purpose of this section is to clearly establish that no city, town, or district is responsible for any election costs involved in electing statewide officers or ballot measures. Costs associated with the election of statewide officers and ballot measures in even-numbered years shall be borne by the county. The county is not responsible for any costs involved in the holding of any city, town, or district election.
     In recovering such election expenses, including a reasonable pro-ration of administrative costs, the county auditor shall certify the cost to the county treasurer with a copy to the clerk or auditor of the city, town, or district concerned. Upon receipt of such certification, the county treasurer shall make the transfer from any available and appropriate city, town, or district funds to the county current expense fund or to the county election reserve fund if such a fund is established. Each city, town, or district must be promptly notified by the county treasurer whenever such transfer has been completed. However, in those districts wherein a treasurer, other than the county treasurer, has been appointed such transfer procedure does not apply, but the district shall promptly issue its warrant for payment of election costs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act takes effect July 1, 2004.