Title 44 — Title 44 STATE GOVERNMENT—LEGISLATIVE

This act may be cited as the Washington State Redistricting Act.[ 1983 c 16 s 1.]

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise.(1) "Chief election officer" means the secretary of state.(2) "Federal census" means the decennial census required by federal law to be prepared by the United States bur…

A redistricting commission shall be established in January of each year ending in one to accomplish state legislative and congressional redistricting. The five-member commission shall be appointed as follows:(1) Each legislative leader of the two largest political parties in each…

Before serving on the commission every person shall take and subscribe an oath to faithfully perform the duties of that office. The oath shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state.[ 1983 c 16 s 4.]

No person may serve on the commission who:(1) Is not a registered voter of the state at the time of selection; or(2) Is or has within one year prior to selection been a registered lobbyist; or(3) Is or has within two years prior to selection been an elected official or elected le…

No member of the commission may:(1) Campaign for elective office while a member of the commission;(2) Actively participate in or contribute to any political campaign of any candidate for state or federal elective office while a member of the commission; or(3) Hold or campaign for…

(1) The commission may employ the services of experts, consultants, and support staff, including attorneys not employed by the attorney general, as necessary to carry out its duties pursuant to this chapter.(2) The chief election officer, the treasurer, and the attorney general s…

In addition to other duties prescribed by law, the commission shall:(1) Adopt rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to carry out the provisions of Article II, section 43 of the state Constitution and of this chapter, which rules shall provide that…

In the redistricting plan:(1) Districts shall have a population as nearly equal as is practicable, excluding nonresident military personnel, based on the population reported in the federal decennial census as adjusted by RCW 44.05.140.(2) To the extent consistent with subsection …

(1) Upon approval of a redistricting plan by three of the voting members of the commission, but not later than November 15th of the year ending in one, the commission shall submit the plan to the legislature.(2) After submission of the plan by the commission, the legislature shal…

(1) Following the period provided by RCW 44.05.100(1) for the commission's adoption of a plan, the commission shall take all necessary steps to conclude its business and cease operations. The commission shall prepare a financial statement disclosing all expenditures made by the c…

(1) If a commission has ceased to exist, the legislature may, upon an affirmative vote in each house of two-thirds of the members elected or appointed thereto, adopt legislation reconvening the commission for the purpose of modifying the redistricting plan.(2) RCW 44.05.050 gover…

After the plan takes effect as provided in RCW 44.05.100, any registered voter may file a petition with the supreme court challenging the plan. After a modification to the redistricting plan takes effect as provided in RCW 44.05.120, any registered voter may file a petition with …

(1) After April 1st of each year ending in zero, and by July 1st of each year ending in zero, the department of corrections shall furnish to the redistricting commission the following information regarding the last known place of residence of each inmate incarcerated in a state a…

This act shall take effect if the proposed amendment to Article II of the state Constitution establishing a commission for state legislative and congressional redistricting is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at a general election held in November, …