[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109010,"mediaKeyId","2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2","parentId",2764985,"title","Committee hears cleanup bill to remove statutory vacancy method for county commissioners in favor of constitutional appointment process","audioSeconds",183,"startMs",2887280,"endMs",3070550,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2&start=2887&end=3070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2/thumbnail_2887280.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109010/Washington/Committee-hears-cleanup-bill-to-remove-statutory-vacancy-method-for-county-commissioners-in-favor-of-constitutional-appointment-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109010-f25ce052dd46fc4e2ee3f046cd245dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985623&Signature=o-ZN2Yhk8Whth2xcF3OCaGk0xy~phel2DtWCI5wVSzdFIeyz1QmbJCDMatBjsxKQj~3Zy3fSKyQUorLIdKuOHkMB-KjcehmwaXEn9RDtnViutZT2HyceutOTxf5FBvw8T9WXI851Sdwa8OuPSAdXJq46vB9zdHFrdj5hUsQnDPzPUuG5crXSNWtiDNY5PnaNn4z2XvRaS9hyJMMMDWBe--eK7E2h9wKZvwebWPOxq1X07~m7cQTEcZhU8RDE2CG6YNL3KMMxelAmiwyqEZXpxLvOswANGjQw08RAPla6H4cat4l-jG4FtBJJfUrCdmjeKkvvckdXlExF5-WlQtm7EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Local Government Committee reviewed Senate Bill 5288 on Wednesday, which would repeal statutory procedures for filling vacancies on boards of county commissioners and rely solely on the constitutional appointment method in Article II, Section 15 of the state constitution.

Committee staff described the two existing approaches: the constitutional method requires the county legislative authority to appoint an appointee from the same political party as the outgoing commissioner and from a list of three nominees submitted by the party’s county central committee; if county commissioners cannot agree on an appointee within 60 days, the governor selects from the same list. A separate statutory method creates a different appointment sequence depending on whether a board has three or five members (governor appointments until a quorum, then commissioners appoint remaining seats under specific timelines).

Paul Jewell of the Washington State Association of Counties and Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack testified in support of SB 5288, calling it a cleanup measure. Jewell said that, in practice, counties follow the constitutional method and that removing the overlapping statutory method would eliminate recurring confusion when vacancies arise. Commissioner Swannack described a recent Whitman County vacancy that required consultation with county legal counsel to determine which process applied.

Supporters asked the committee to move the bill forward as a simplification of existing law; no opponents were recorded in the hearing. The committee did not take a vote on the bill during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Local Government 10:30 AM March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 5288 would repeal the statutory method for filling vacancies on boards of county commissioners, leaving the constitutional appointment process (party central committee nomination and selection per Article II, Section 15) as the exclusive method; counties and association witnesses called it a cleanup bill to remove confusion.","taxTitle","Local Government, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20267,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109015,"Bill seeks to modernize irrigation-district elections with mail ballots, relaxed absentee rules and new security standards",811,981714,1792929,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2&start=981&end=1792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2/thumbnail_981714.jpg","/articles/6109015/Washington/Bill-seeks-to-modernize-irrigation-district-elections-with-mail-ballots-relaxed-absentee-rules-and-new-security-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109015-892606c42e8ab383c7606fb5fd655515/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985623&Signature=SjRcM42xt3rXfIGv90EGDmVFONyK-Dl75WuZsWHHKV8Ls19vwMMsK5KGv9PsotAg1brVOEB1E6ZDLRfodueSsrw-GH91YMWny~A~lPpz4zO68ONLd~2FcK7rjqj3K-iGR6S~e9EXUzelu~dF4QXptzv29UPt5raDz79WkVBOStX6LqEXqcxijTWOM-RoGhBYXCITQmo-z1gBlHQ~KvXHlXaBnuqwWwAD869Q3OtYShwE2TXy4Qt53mdFgCjLzGkoZsouHyPuPVTrnJFtrTdNiPV1q4SQeIHHatsZsuZeiss0iT1LBmmdXwe1srVKEXiTAZmH-dyR~CQCxBnIbQySqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5669, which the Local Government Committee considered on Wednesday, proposes several changes to the way irrigation district elections are conducted. Kellen Wright, committee staff, and Senator Nikki Torres, sponsor, described the bill as an effort to align century-old election rules with modern practices and to increase participation in irrigation district elections.

Irrigation districts are special purpose districts that serve a range of functions including irrigation works, electricity sales, water and sewer systems and street lighting. Under current law, director elections are annual and voter eligibility is based on property ownership; voters receive votes based on acreage and in some larger districts business entities have voting rights under narrow conditions.

SB 5669 would allow any qualified voter to use an absentee ballot without the current requirement that the voter certify they cannot conveniently be present and without the requirement that a witness observe and certify the absentee voter’s actions. The bill would also permit a district board to adopt a resolution to conduct elections entirely by mail in lieu of polling places; in such cases districts would be required to provide ballots to qualified electors using district records and provide two envelopes for security.

The bill would extend the mail receipt deadline for ballots mailed to the district secretary from five days after the election to seven days, change the canvass to begin on the second Wednesday after the election instead of the first Monday, and add several security requirements such as requiring at least two non-candidate persons when ballots are handled, batch counting after polls close, tamper-proof ballot boxes, public canvassing and retention of election logs for six months. The bill also prescribes that election officials involved in carrying out election duties cannot be candidates on the ballot and creates criminal penalties (gross misdemeanor) for willful violations such as removing ballots from drop boxes without authority or deceiving voters.

Proponents—John Stumiller of the Washington State Water Resources Association and Michelle Keys, an Eastern Washington farmer—said the law is outdated (original provisions date to 1890) and that modernizing procedures would help increase participation, especially where geographic distance reduces turnout. Stumiller said irrigation districts have already adopted some improvements but need statutory authority to modernize further. Michelle Keys said the bill has been refined over several years with input from auditors, county officials and districts.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about definitions (for example, “accessible land”), ballot costs, and how voting qualifications differ by district acreage; staff offered to provide detail outside the hearing. The committee took no vote during the hearing.","Senate Bill 5669 would allow broader absentee and mail-in voting for irrigation district elections, simplify absentee-ballot witness requirements, add security procedures for ballot handling, and update voter-qualification rules; supporters said the changes modernize an old law and improve participation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109018,"Bill would clarify that small libraries housed in community centers can qualify as recreational facilities for district formation",1731,465375,2196934,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2&start=465&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2/thumbnail_465375.jpg","/articles/6109018/Washington/Bill-would-clarify-that-small-libraries-housed-in-community-centers-can-qualify-as-recreational-facilities-for-district-formation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109018-a6766592f7feff53257174b4da515539/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985623&Signature=f9RzNMX5urth-GLgSwCitVQCcPoZP-MU1O8WPDt~Yj~8sKqBYgAG1IGEf5XBucuLmRLX7ITe0kAKSOa4MIT8qDErPZ6C~BRJgsiLL-ZKPSsmvudrYr4ZYjvlnVHmjvTtMXYC0ZM~ooKwsaDSbr5mFW0MwMgZ7HmWuHn0p0BAwHqwFo1zuwZDFq206wlOriz2~HBmIt91DVOMWV0h6XT245D4re6pHN31CWhAv06psEJ2mTgdXXBO6Q6glHL0XrV9yF-sy1hFWsF6CauDyqARxFaJZm9~XMpVhStuQBgTSwfhsQlY-NTexZMEoNeAlQGAQE-ErLccovOI-FOTc7hDEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Local Government Committee on Wednesday heard Substitute Senate Bill 5365, which would amend the definition of “recreational facilities” used in forming park and recreation districts to explicitly include community centers that may house public libraries occupying less than 50% of usable space. Michelle Rusk and Senator Jeff Wilson briefed and sponsored the bill; local officials and a City of Castle Rock representative testified in support.

Under current Washington law, park and recreation districts may be formed to provide leisure activities and recreational facilities; the bill would clarify that a community center containing a library (if the library occupies under 50% of usable space) may qualify as a recreational facility for district formation and funding purposes. Staff told the committee that the statute currently lacks clarity on whether libraries using shared community space are included in the definition.

Senator Jeff Wilson, sponsor, called the bill a “clarity bill” and said it was requested by a small community in his district to remove ambiguity so local governments can plan and fund library services embedded in shared facilities without legal challenge. David Vorce, representing the City of Castle Rock, told the committee that small or rural libraries often function as de facto community centers offering youth programs and senior services; he said designating those spaces as recreational facilities would offer stable funding options subject to voter approval.

Committee members asked whether the 50% limit could unintentionally restrict larger shared facilities. Staff and supporters said the threshold was intended to permit sharing of space while preventing one use from dominating a community center; the record did not include a policy analysis or fiscal note during the hearing. Proxy testimony and city officials said the practice is already common in some jurisdictions and the bill primarily provides legal certainty.

The committee took no vote on SB 5365 during the hearing. Supporters urged the committee to advance the bill to provide clarity for communities that currently operate libraries out of shared community spaces.","Substitute Senate Bill 5365 would modify the definition of recreational facilities so park and recreation districts may include public libraries occupying less than 50% of usable space in a community center; supporters said the change offers legal clarity for small communities that already share space.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109021,"Committee hears bill raising dollar thresholds for private sale of water and sewer district property",1984,316190,2300570,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2&start=316&end=2300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2/thumbnail_316190.jpg","/articles/6109021/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-raising-dollar-thresholds-for-private-sale-of-water-and-sewer-district-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109021-4796c56b19331ed8a195d132a5fbf85a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985623&Signature=kGhNV6iRfBRdj89jskERP~R8diMOeBsnr7F~DYjSxGgkKRiYbym3sc3NpAgCk0ZgOsvO7WJJ88~W9KlCGhVxHfGogo-ZnSoVkZJU6CLr7eRGJDbkcH2IOOPBlkmkKsibdg0y3MVmWS8PN4Qni3fXoqpuw9AUPLap1TdhlYAoJXRlcj0hhxkABejAPU6~qXIvvlP18dh-45zMNPl2FNsFctNNq3HBsCe8Q2ccgphv9YqJ2DKKyUoxcj3eqUyY1Ofds1MErpfZXw4RgIM3L0-p-2j3ZFngRhMXYDwUKqqlknRd5Y9egBnU~Jk~QsCpYx4YTrU0~prmft276ihVX8YqoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Local Government Committee heard Senate Bill 5467 on Wednesday, a proposal to increase the dollar thresholds that allow water and sewer districts to sell surplus property without public notice or formal sale procedures. Elizabeth Allison and Devin Gomboski, representing committee staff and the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts respectively, briefed and testified in support.

Under current statutory rules, board notice is not required for selling personal property valued below $2,500, and real property valued over $5,000 may not be privately sold. SB 5467 would increase the personal property threshold to $5,400 and raise the cap so that real property valued up to $7,500 could be privately sold, according to staff and proponents.

Devin Gomboski, testifying for the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts, said thresholds were last adjusted in 2011 for real property and 1993 for surplus property and no longer reflect modern economic conditions. He said raising the limits would save administrative time and reduce costs that ultimately fall to ratepayers.

Committee members asked practical questions about the kinds of surplus property districts sell and who can purchase such items. Gomboski gave an example of a high-quality printer that a district sold after posting notice; he said sales are open to any purchaser. No opponents were recorded in the hearing.

The committee took no formal vote on SB 5467 during the hearing. Supporters described the bill as a technical update intended to align statutory thresholds with inflation and to streamline district operations.","Senate Bill 5467 would raise the dollar value limits that allow water and sewer districts to sell surplus personal or real property without public notice or formal public sale; proponents said thresholds are outdated and increases would reduce administrative costs for ratepayers.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109022,"Committee hears bill letting smaller port districts ask voters to lengthen commissioner terms to six years",2855,28100,2883460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2&start=28&end=2883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2764985-1388457b26993b75ec453e607ea230f2/thumbnail_28100.jpg","/articles/6109022/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-letting-smaller-port-districts-ask-voters-to-lengthen-commissioner-terms-to-six-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109022-41bb76ffc942ce52852b41bf688e21ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985623&Signature=nCcIAqoLUg68Pc~SV0GX33Jr-9jRmvnz~gwTz7KY9VO6llpZe~fpRiAKY2COqUvte2WtksF7aiDixPSGpCjRNLEBaapj093DgcQZd22FrnpEBfgZEghgKaUBmdesfdxLPuFZUSfq8q44C1t9w8AA-Q0mTa1c-NySIXGojY63k5mMoijNQhoxHd6Rh8DfKWjh5amsWPPLw-6pehspPgOhe3qjI8HRaaZdrQ4PMMBKLMVCyEmd2Ar-DDWXZjuHKX~L2TPv2vNMLYcAO6qVeVxmeJQ1Z3vAFALWnOBUe6Io-V7MFnB5WkEy05CkYIBIkGsX0o8JTT-bYG3avc1BgrvK5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Local Government Committee on Wednesday heard Substitute Senate Bill 5370, which would permit certain port districts to submit a ballot proposition asking voters to increase port commissioner terms from four to six years. Kellen Wright, staff to the committee, briefed the panel on the measure.

The bill applies to port districts that are not countywide or that are countywide in counties with fewer than 100,000 people. Under current law, some port districts already have six-year commissioner terms while others have four; SB 5370 would allow affected districts to place a measure on the ballot—either after the port commission passes a resolution or after voters submit a petition—to lengthen terms if a majority of district voters approve.

Port officials and supporters told the committee that continuity matters because ports plan and manage large capital projects that often span many years. James Cochran, government relations manager for the Washington Public Ports Association, said most ports are governed by three-member commissions with six-year terms and that the change would primarily help a small number of ports where two-thirds of the commission can otherwise be up for election at once. “This would really help our smaller communities where institutional knowledge is very hard to come by,” Cochran said.

John Spencer, a commissioner with the Port of Camas–Washougal, described the range of responsibilities at a small port—airport, marina, industrial park and waterfront development—and said staggered six-year terms would reduce the risk that multiple experienced commissioners are replaced at the same election. Will Catlin, manager for the Port of Lopez, told the committee his island port operates with minimal staff and that retaining commissioner expertise is important for managing federal, state and county interactions for maritime and aeronautical services.

Senator Harris, who introduced the bill to the committee, summarized the intent: the measure is voluntary for districts, preserves voters’ control because any change requires a majority approval at the ballot box, and aims to provide continuity for ports working on long-range capital projects. Wright also explained how the bill preserves staggered terms: where two commissioners are elected at the same election, the candidate with the most votes would serve the six-year term and the other a four-year term so staggering remains intact.

The hearing included only testimony and questions; no committee vote was recorded. Proponents stressed that the change would be optional and district-specific, requiring direct voter approval before taking effect.

Supporters said they expect some small ports to ask voters to change terms soon if the bill becomes law; opponents were not recorded in the hearing record.

The committee suspended the hearing on SB 5370 after testimony and moved to other bills on the agenda. The measure will return for further committee action on a future date.","A substitute bill would allow non-countywide port districts and those in counties with fewer than 100,000 people to put a ballot measure before voters to extend port commissioner terms from four to six years; sponsors and port officials said longer, staggered terms improve institutional continuity for long-term capital projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears cleanup bill to remove statutory vacancy method for county commissioners in favor of constitutional appointment process

Bill seeks to modernize irrigation-district elections with mail ballots, relaxed absentee rules and new security standards

Bill would clarify that small libraries housed in community centers can qualify as recreational facilities for district formation

Committee hears bill raising dollar thresholds for private sale of water and sewer district property

Committee hears bill letting smaller port districts ask voters to lengthen commissioner terms to six years