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