SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1624
As of March 8, 2023
Title: An act relating to administering educational service district elections.
Brief Description: Administering educational service district elections.
Sponsors: Representatives Ybarra and Waters.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/23, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/09/23.
Brief Summary of Bill

 

  • Removes provisions requiring that declaration of candidacy forms be filed only in person or by mail for educational service district board member elections.
  • Removes provisions requiring that all votes be cast by mail for educational service district board member elections.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Alexandra Fairfortune (786-7416)
Background:

Educational Service Districts. Washington has nine regionally based educational service districts (ESDs) that provide cooperative informational services to local school districts and assist the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board of Education in the performance of their duties. The ESDs are governed by boards of seven or nine members elected by school directors within each of the ESDs.

 

Legislation adopted in 2022 transferred election administration duties for ESD board member elections, including duties related to candidate filing and voting, from OSPI to the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA). Declarations for candidacy forms for these elections may only be filed in person or by mail, and all votes in these elections must be cast by mail.
Summary of Bill:

Provisions governing the administration of ESD board member elections by the WSSDA are modified by:

  • removing a provision requiring that declaration of candidacy forms be filed only in person or by mail; and
  • removing provisions requiring that all votes for ESD board members be cast by mail and be postmarked by certain dates.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 6, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.