Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/13/1994 08:30 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 47 An Act relating to the delivery of the primary ballots to persons making application for them when, by operation of political party rule, two or more primary ballots must be provided to the public. CS HB 47 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no recommendations" and with a zero fiscal note by the Office of the Governor. HOUSE BILL 47 "An Act relating to the delivery of the primary ballots to persons making application for them when, by operation of political party rule, two or more primary ballots must be provided to the public." Representative Martin noted that HB 47 had been drafted following the 1992 Primary Election in which an absentee ballot applicant had not indicated a ballot preference. Through this legislation, the absentee voter would receive the appropriate primary election ballot, as determined by their political affiliation on record. The legislation would create a 30 day limitation on party affiliation changes to facilitate the election process. JOE SWANSON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, commented that the fiscal note had been zeroed out. Representative Brown noted her preference of an "open" primary and asked the legal options for that choice. Mr. Swanson advised it would not be optional due to a mandate by the Supreme Court. Currently there are regulations in effect which are based on that court order and which are not in statute. The proposed legislation clarifies regulations. Co-Chair Larson asked if the bill would change the court ruling which would specify that each party make individual determinations whether to open or close the primary. Representative Brown asked if Section #6, Page 5, would annul a regulation. Mr. Swanson replied that Section #6 would provide a cost savings measure and would automatically take the regulations off of the books. Discussion followed between Committee members and Mr. Swanson regarding the open and primary ballot systems. Representative Brown MOVED to amend Page 4, Line 16 and Line 17, deleting "statutory" and inserting "open". 2 Representative Therriault OBJECTED. Representative Parnell stated that the language would be too broad and a mischaracterization of the intention. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Hanley. Representative Navarre and MacLean were not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (5-4). Representative Hanley MOVED to report CS HB 47 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with a zero fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 47 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no recommendations" and with a zero fiscal note by the Office of the Governor. HB 47 An Act relating to the delivery of the primary ballots to persons making application for them when, by operation of political party rule, two or more primary ballots must be provided to the public. CS HB 47 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no recommendations" and with a zero fiscal note by the Office of the Governor. HOUSE BILL 47 "An Act relating to the delivery of the primary ballots to persons making application for them when, by operation of political party rule, two or more primary ballots must be provided to the public." Representative Martin noted that HB 47 had been drafted following the 1992 Primary Election in which an absentee ballot applicant had not indicated a ballot preference. Through this legislation, the absentee voter would receive the appropriate primary election ballot, as determined by their political affiliation on record. The legislation would create a 30 day limitation on party affiliation changes to facilitate the election process. JOE SWANSON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, commented that the fiscal note had been zeroed out. Representative Brown noted her preference of an "open" primary and asked the legal options for that choice. Mr. Swanson advised it would not be optional due to a mandate by the Supreme Court. Currently there are regulations in effect which are based on that court order and which are not in statute. The proposed legislation clarifies regulations. Co-Chair Larson asked if the bill would change the court ruling which would specify that each party make individual determinations whether to open or close the primary. Representative Brown asked if Section #6, Page 5, would annul a regulation. Mr. Swanson replied that Section #6 would provide a cost savings measure and would automatically take the regulations off of the books. Discussion followed between Committee members and Mr. Swanson regarding the open and primary ballot systems. Representative Brown MOVED to amend Page 4, Line 16 and Line 17, deleting "statutory" and inserting "open". 2 Representative Therriault OBJECTED. Representative Parnell stated that the language would be too broad and a mischaracterization of the intention. A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION. IN FAVOR: Hoffman, Brown, Foster, Grussendorf, Larson. OPPOSED: Martin, Parnell, Therriault, Hanley. Representative Navarre and MacLean were not present for the vote. The MOTION PASSED (5-4). Representative Hanley MOVED to report CS HB 47 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with a zero fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 47 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no recommendations" and with a zero fiscal note by the Office of the Governor.
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