BILL REQ. #:  S-4461.1 

Read first time 02/06/12.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to the redistricting commission; and amending RCW 44.05.100 and 44.05.110.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 44.05.100 and 2002 c 4 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Upon approval of a redistricting plan by three of the voting members of the commission, but not later than ((January 1st)) November 15th of the year ending in ((two)) one, the commission shall submit the plan to the legislature.
     (2) After submission of the plan by the commission, the legislature shall have the next thirty days during any regular or special session to amend the commission's plan. If the legislature amends the commission's plan the legislature's amendment must be approved by an affirmative vote in each house of two-thirds of the members elected or appointed thereto, and may not include more than two percent of the population of any legislative or congressional district.
     (3) The plan approved by the commission, with any amendment approved by the legislature, shall be final upon approval of such amendment or after expiration of the time provided for legislative amendment by subsection (2) of this section whichever occurs first, and shall constitute the districting law applicable to this state for legislative and congressional elections, beginning with the next elections held in the year ending in two. This plan shall be in force until the effective date of the plan based upon the next succeeding federal decennial census or until a modified plan takes effect as provided in RCW 44.05.120(6).
     (4) If three of the voting members of the commission fail to approve and submit a plan within the time limitations provided in subsection (1) of this section, the supreme court shall adopt a plan by March 1st of the year ending in two. Any such plan approved by the court is final and constitutes the districting law applicable to this state for legislative and congressional elections, beginning with the next election held in the year ending in two. This plan shall be in force until the effective date of the plan based on the next succeeding federal decennial census or until a modified plan takes effect as provided in RCW 44.05.120(6).

Sec. 2   RCW 44.05.110 and 2011 c 60 s 43 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Following the period provided by RCW 44.05.100(1) for the commission's adoption of a plan, the commission shall take all necessary steps to conclude its business and cease operations. The commission shall prepare a financial statement disclosing all expenditures made by the commission. The official record shall contain all relevant information developed by the commission pursuant to carrying out its duties under this chapter, maps, data collected, minutes of meetings, written communications, and other information of a similar nature. Once the commission ceases to exist, the chief election officer shall be the custodian of the official record for purposes of reprecincting and election administration. The chief election officer shall provide for the permanent preservation of this official record pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW and Title 40 RCW. Once the commission ceases to exist any budget surplus shall revert to the state general fund.
     (2) Except as provided in RCW 44.05.120 for a reconvened commission, the commission shall cease to exist on ((July)) May 1st of each year ending in two unless the supreme court extends the commission's term.