FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1264

                         C 153 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Making corrections regarding combining water‑sewer districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Scott, Mulliken, Fisher, Quall, Wolfe and Schoesler.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

Water districts are units of local government initially authorized in 1913 to provide potable water facilities, sanitary sewers, drainage facilities, and street lighting.  Sewer districts are units of local government initially authorized in 1941 to provide sanitary sewers, drainage facilities, and potable water facilities.  Sewer district laws are almost identical with water district laws.

Legislation enacted in 1996 and effective July 1, 1997, consolidated water district laws with sewer district laws and made a number of technical changes to these laws.  Among other changes, the term "sewer system," which had been defined to include both sanitary sewers and drainage systems, was altered to apply only to sanitary sewer systems, and separate provisions were added for drainage systems. 

Summary:

A variety of changes are made relating to the consolidation of water district laws with sewer district laws.  The distinction between sanitary sewer systems and drainage systems initiated in the 1996 legislation consolidating sewer district and water district statutes is continued.  Various laws are amended to make this distinction.

Provisions relating to the use of the small works roster process for work ordered with a cost between $5,000 and $50,000 are clarified.  Further, the financial records of associations of water-sewer district commissions are no longer subject to audit by the state.

The authority for water-sewer districts to reject bids for sales of unnecessary property is limited to rejections made for good cause.

References to either "water districts" or "sewer districts" are altered to "water-sewer districts," and numerous technical changes are made to a variety of statutes related to water-sewer districts.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate470

Effective:July 25, 1999