Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government Committee |
HB 2469
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning candidate filing fee petitions.
Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist, Van Werven, S. Hunt and Moscoso.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/19/16
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
Declarations of Candidacy
Any person who wishes to run for elected office must file a declaration of candidacy. The Secretary of State (SOS) is the filing officer for candidacy declarations for statewide offices, congressional office, state legislative office, the court of appeals and the superior court when the district covers two or more counties. All other candidacy declarations are filed with the county auditor. Candidates may file declarations of candidacy electronically. Declarations of candidacy filings are accepted during the week that is two weeks before Memorial Day.
Filing Fee Petitions
Candidates must pay a filing fee of $10 for any office with a fixed annual salary of $1,000 or less. All other offices require a filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary of the office. A candidate who lacks sufficient assets or income to pay the required fee may instead submit a filing fee petition. The petition must contain a number of signatures of registered voters equal to the amount of the filing fee. Filing fee petitions must be signed by hand and submitted in hard copy.
Electronic Signatures
The 2015 Legislature enacted Substitute Senate Bill 5810, allowing state agencies to accept electronic signatures and records with the same force and effect as handwritten signatures. The state Chief Information Officer must establish standards, policies, or guidance for agencies in the acceptance of electronic records and signatures. Except as otherwise provided by law, agencies may determine whether and to what extent they accept electronic records and signatures.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning January 1, 2017, any candidate for office may submit a filing fee petition in lieu of a filing fee. Candidates for statewide office, congressional office, state legislative office, the court of appeals or superior court when the district covers two or more counties may electronically file a filing fee petition containing electronic signatures.
The Secretary of State must adopt rules related to the acceptance of electronic signatures for electronic filing fee petitions. The rules must be in accordance with electronic signatures guidance issued by the state Chief Information Officer.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested.
Effective Date: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for sections 3 and 4 relating to electronic filing, which take effect January 1, 2017.