| HB 2055 - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Modifies provisions relating to explanatory statements and fiscal impact statements for ballot measures. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2055 |
| May 6, 2015 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 3, House Bill No. 2055 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to statements on ballot measures in voters' pamphlets." |
| The intent of this bill is to provide voters with more information about the potential fiscal impact of a ballot initiative. The bill moves forward the deadline for the Attorney General to prepare the explanatory statement and the Office of Financial Management to prepare the fiscal impact statement so that the information is available to the pro and con committees when drafting their statements for the voters pamphlet. |
| In addition to moving forward the deadline for the Office of Financial Management to prepare the fiscal impact statement, Section 3 also creates a new cause of action for any person dissatisfied with the fiscal impact statement to challenge the statement in superior court. This new cause of action would frustrate the intent of this bill and cause unnecessary delay. It would also place the court in the untenable position of having to make advisory rulings on the initiative at issue in the fiscal impact statement. The Office of Financial Management identifies the assumptions made in preparation of the fiscal impact statement. Under this new cause of action, the court would have to make a legal ruling on these assumptions, which would constitute an advisory opinion on the initiative. There are current legal options available to those who wish to challenge a fiscal impact statement without creating a new cause of action. For these reasons, I am vetoing section 3 of House Bill 2055. |
| While I am vetoing Section 3, I am instructing the Office of Financial Management to work cooperatively with the Secretary of State to ensure any fiscal impact statement is completed in time to share with the pro and con committees before they complete their statements for the voters' pamphlet. This will ensure the intent of the legislation is fulfilled. |
| For these reasons I have vetoed Section 3 of House Bill No. 2055. |
| With the exception of Section 3, House Bill No. 2055 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Jay Inslee |
| Governor |