Committee advances amended bill standardizing water‑district election petitions and vacancies

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday approved an amended version of Senate Bill 2299 that changes petition thresholds, extends petition filing deadlines, and clarifies how vacancies are filled in water districts.

Committee members reviewed an amendment that reduces the petition threshold for placing items on a ballot to the lesser of 10 percent of participating members or 300 members. The amended language also sets petition submission to the secretary of the board or nominating committee at least 45 days before an election, a change requested by several districts to allow time for notices and ballot printing.

On vacancies, the amendment specifies that vacancies for an unexpired term must be filled by appointment of the remaining directors until the next annual meeting of participating members, at which point members will elect a director to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

The committee approved the amendment and the amended bill by voice and roll calls; subsequent votes recorded the amendment and final bill passing by unanimous 7‑0 tallies. Senator Kessel moved for a due pass on the amended bill and Senator Inghitt agreed to carry it.

Committee discussion clarified that the 10 percent or 300 threshold is meant to be whichever number is fewer, and that the 45‑day deadline is strictly a timing change to ensure administrative readiness for elections. Members also noted that the amendment includes language requiring elections be conducted in a uniform and non‑discriminatory manner, allowing participants to observe voting and tabulation.