City of Port Angeles v. Our Water-Our Choice

Penoyar, A.C.J.

¶1 Our Water-Our Choice and Protect Our Waters appeal a trial court decision ruling their initiatives invalid. Both initiatives deal with controlling additives to Port Angeles’ public water supply. Courts do not review initiatives for whether the proposed law is good public policy but do review initiatives for whether they would be lawful if approved. Unlike statewide initiatives, trial courts review the substance and nature of local initiatives before they are submitted to the voters because local initiatives must be consistent with federal and state laws. The trial court…