SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1470

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 of February 14, 2018

Title: An act relating to declaration of candidacy.

Brief Description: Modifying declaration of candidacy provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Koster, Haler, Griffey, Manweller and Doglio; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/17, 87-11; 2/12/18, 97-0.

Committee Activity: State Government: 3/22/17, 3/29/17 [DP].

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/21/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires candidates in single-county legislative districts to file declarations of candidacy with and pay filing fees to the Secretary of State.

  • Requires county auditors to provide candidates access to the state electronic filing system.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Miloscia, Chair; Zeiger, Vice Chair; Hunt, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer and Pearson.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: Candidates for public office must file a declaration of candidacy with the appropriate elections official. Candidates for statewide and federal offices must file their declarations with the Secretary of State, as must candidates in districts of multiple counties for appellate and superior courts and the state Legislature. For all other offices, candidates must file their declaration of candidacy with the local county auditor.

A filing fee is paid to the same officer with whom the declaration of candidacy is filed. For any office with a fixed annual salary of $1,000 or less, the filing fee is $10. For all other offices, the filing fee is 1 percent of the annual salary of the office. Candidates may submit petitions to have the filing fee waived.

Summary of Bill: Candidates in single-county legislative districts must file declarations of candidacy and pay filing fees to the Secretary of State. Each county auditor must provide candidates access to the state electronic filing system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (State Government): Testimony from 2017 Regular Session. PRO: This will ensure that candidates for office get information about filing with the Public Disclosure Commission and get into the voters' pamphlet. It will also eliminate confusion arising when district boundaries change and candidates have to file with a different official.

Persons Testifying (State Government): PRO: David Elliott, Office of the Secretary of State.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (State Government): No one.