BILL REQ. #:  S-3518.2 

Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to primary elections costs; amending RCW 29A.04.410 and 29A.04.420; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.04 RCW.

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)) 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330.
     Whenever any city, town, or district holds any ((primary or election,)) general or special((,)) election 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 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.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.04.420 and 2003 c 111 s 147 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever state officers or measures are voted upon at a ((state primary or)) general election held in an odd-numbered year under RCW ((29A.04.320)) 29A.04.321, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that ((state primary or)) general election.
     (2) Whenever a ((primary or)) vacancy election is held to fill a vacancy in the position of United States senator or United States representative under chapter 29A.28 RCW, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that ((primary or)) vacancy election.
     (3) The county auditor shall apportion the state's share of these expenses when prorating election costs under RCW 29A.04.410 and shall file such expense claims with the secretary of state.
     (4) The secretary of state shall include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this section. Reimbursements for election costs shall be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW under the subchapter heading "election costs" to read as follows:
     Major political parties, as defined in RCW 29A.04.086, shall pay for all costs associated with partisan primaries, as described in RCW 29A.52.111. Costs shall be divided equally among the parties including a reasonable amount for administrative costs. The secretary of state shall adopt by rule the calculation for assessment of each party's ratable share of administrative costs pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW. The county auditor shall certify the costs to the county treasurer with a copy to be delivered to the political parties. Upon receipt of such certification, each party must pay its share to the county's current expense fund or to the county election reserve fund if such a fund is established.