AN ACT Relating to lengthening port commissioner terms;
Summary
SB 5370 changes the rules for port district governance by allowing voters in a port district to approve longer terms for port commissioners. Under the bill, a ballot proposition may be placed before voters either by resolution of the port commissioners or by a petition from district voters signed by a threshold number of voters equal to at least 10 percent of those who voted in the last general election. If approved by a simple majority, the elected commissioner’s term is extended from four years to six years.
The bill also creates a staggered-term structure when two commissioners are elected in the same election or the next general election after adoption. In that case, the highest vote-getter receives a six-year term and the other receives a four-year term, after which successors serve six-year terms. The measure does not apply to port districts already required to maintain four-year terms under existing law or to districts with five port commissioners.
Impact
SB 5370 amends Washington’s port district election and term-length provisions in chapter 53 RCW by adding a new section that authorizes local voters to lengthen port commissioner terms through a ballot proposition. It affects port districts, port commissioners, county auditors handling petitions and ballot placement, and voters in those districts. The bill preserves existing exceptions for certain port districts and establishes how longer terms would be phased in when multiple commissioners are elected at the same time.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported throughout the legislative process. It passed the Senate committee, Senate floor, House committee, House floor, and Senate concurrence with strong margins, including unanimous or near-unanimous committee and Senate votes and a 88-9 House final passage vote. The voting pattern suggests general agreement with the policy of giving local port districts the option to extend commissioner terms.
Contention
There was little visible opposition in the recorded votes, but the main policy issue is whether port commissioner terms should be lengthened from four to six years and whether that decision should be made locally by voters rather than imposed statewide. Any concern would likely center on accountability and voter control versus continuity and stability in port governance. The House amended the bill, indicating some refinement of the proposal, but the final votes show that those changes did not generate significant controversy.