AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 32, Interim No. 2
August 21, 2009  (Plain Text Version)

Return to Graphical Version | Search back issues

In this issue:
I-1033 expected to reduce city general fund revenues by $2.1 billion within first six years
Federal legislative issues
Infrastructure, economic development and transportation
Law & justice
Municipal finance
Personnel and labor relations

Personnel and labor relations

Teaser here

Domestic Partners

SB 5688 provides that for all purposes under state law, except RCW 26.04 (Marriage) and where inconsistent with federal programs, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses. The new law amends many state statutes to include state registered domestic partners when spouses, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next-of-kin or family are referenced. A state certificate of domestic partnership fulfills eligibility requirements for public employee benefits and pensions. Currently there are more than 4,900 state registered domestic partnerships and according to the office of the Secretary of State, that number is expected to grow by 15% per year through 2015.

Proponents of Referendum 71 seeking to overturn the new domestic partners law turned in an estimated 138,000 petition signatures. The minimum number of qualified signatures necessary to qualify for the November 3 statewide ballot is 120,577. This means the new law granting expanded rights to registered domestic partners won’t take effect July 26; but instead is delayed until petition signatures are examined to determine verification. The verification process could take several weeks. If the referendum is certified for the ballot, the measure would remain on hold until the vote is held in November. The Secretary of State’s website offers daily updates of petition signature verification.