HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2154
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to election dates for educational service district board members.
Brief Description: Regarding election dates for educational service district board members.
Sponsors: By Representatives Fromhold, Priest, P. Sullivan, Quall, Kenney and Moeller; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Education: 2/23/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/6/07, 95-0.
Passed Senate: 4/11/07, 48-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, McDermott, Roach, Santos and P. Sullivan.
Staff: Anne Woodward (786-7119) and Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
Prior to 2006, the State Board of Education's (SBE) statutory duties included conducting
Educational Service District (ESD) elections. Elections of the ESD board members were
held every odd-numbered year in the ESDs in which a board member's term expired the
following January. The ESD board members hold four-year terms, and are elected on a
rotating cycle. The SBE was also required to: (1) provide notice of the election to each
member of the board of directors in each school district in the ESD; and (2) establish
instructions and rules for the conduct of the election.
In 2006 the Legislature transferred certain duties from the SBE to the Superintendent of
Public Instruction (SPI). This included giving the SPI the responsibility to conduct elections
for the ESD board members. The SPI is directed to call an election by August 25 of every
even-numbered year in each ESD with a member of the board whose term of office expires
the following January. In addition, the SPI is responsible for providing notice and for
establishing instructions and rules.
Summary of Bill:
The date of elections for educational service districts with one or more members whose terms
expire the following January is changed from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Elections were traditionally held in odd-numbered years to fill positions which
expired the following even-numbered year in January. When duties for holding elections
were transferred to the SPI in 2006, the law required the SPI to hold elections in
even-numbered years. This is difficult since the terms expire in even-numbered years. The
law should be changed back to odd-numbered years in order to keep the election process on
track and allow the SPI to call an election this year.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Charles Schreck, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.