Brief Description: Changing the disbursement of funds by air pollution control agencies.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Alexander, Hunt, Curtis and Simpson).

House Committee on Local Government
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

Local air pollution control authorities (authorities) are established by the Washington Clean Air Act. Each authority is responsible for carrying out specified duties and exercising powers related to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of Washington's air quality. Each of Washington's 39 counties has an authority created within it; however, some county authorities are inactive. Counties with inactive authorities are served by the Washington Department of Ecology's Air Quality Program. Seven multi-county authorities have been formed by county boards of commissioners by combining county authorities with the authorities of adjacent counties.

Each authority is governed by a board of directors (board). The board of an activated authority has specific administrative and other powers prescribed in statute.

The treasurer of each component city, town, or county within an authority must create a separate fund for monies collected from taxes or other sources that are levied by or obtained for activated authorities. These monies must be forwarded quarterly by the treasurer of each applicable local government to a county treasurer designated by the board as its treasurer. This authority treasurer must establish and maintain the resulting funds as authorized by the board.

Monies expended from these funds must be disbursed through warrants drawn by a county auditor designated by the board as its auditor. The respective county must be reimbursed by the board for services rendered by the authority treasurer and auditor in connection with fund transactions.

Summary:

Monies collected for an air pollution control authority in accordance with specified provisions may be disbursed upon warrants drawn either by an authority or a county auditor designated by the authority's board. Boards are not required to reimburse counties for services rendered by county treasurers in connection with the receipt of authority monies.

Technical changes are made.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   46   0

Effective: July 22, 2007