The bill seeks to modernize the election procedures for conservation districts in Washington State and introduces new financial disclosure requirements for district supervisors and candidates. Key changes include the appointment of two qualified supervisors by the commission, who must file a sworn application with the Secretary of State. The election process for supervisors is restructured to allow for a more organized nomination and voting procedure, with the option for districts to conduct elections under Title 29A RCW if approved by the board of supervisors. Additionally, the term of office for supervisors is extended from three years to four years, and new financial reporting requirements are established for supervisors in districts with fewer than 2,000 registered voters.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding the filing of financial affairs by elected officials and executive state officers, mandating electronic filing of financial statements within specified timeframes. Elected supervisors of conservation districts are now required to file a statement of financial affairs, while candidates for these positions are exempt from the annual reporting requirement. The bill clarifies that elections for conservation district supervisors are not classified as general or special elections for campaign disclosure purposes, and it removes the previous exemption for these supervisors from annual personal financial affairs reporting, aligning them with RCW 29B.55.010. The provisions of this bill will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 89.08.160, 89.08.190, 89.08.200, 29A.04.330, 29B.20.070, 29B.55.010, 29B.05.020, 29B.25.010
Substitute bill: 89.08.160, 89.08.190, 89.08.200, 29A.04.330, 29B.20.070, 29B.55.010, 29B.05.020, 29B.25.010