HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2482

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to the signature validation process for petitions that seek annexation.

Brief Description: Addressing the signature validation process for petitions that seek annexation.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representative Moeller).

Brief History:

Local Government: 1/15/08, 1/18/08 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/08, 96-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/7/08, 43-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 3/10/08, 94-0.
Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Modifies petition requirements for cities by allowing a corporate officer to sign an annexation petition under oath.
  • Requires the officer of a corporation to attach an affidavit stating that he or she is duly authorized to sign the annexation petition.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Takko, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Eddy, Nelson and Schmick.

Staff: Lyset Cadena (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

State law contains specified procedural and substantive rules governing the use of the various voter/property owner petitions initiated in accordance with the procedures required of cities and towns. The rules governing this petition process include those pertaining to:

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The petition requirements for cities are modified. When a petition seeks annexation, any duly authorized corporate officer may sign a petition under oath on behalf of a corporation. The authorized corporate officer must attach an affidavit stating that he or she is authorized to sign the annexation petition.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Currently, many cities face challenges when the officer of a corporation has to attach a copy of the bylaws to an annexation petition, since the bylaws do not state who has the authority to sign a petition. The process of attaining signatures for an annexation petition may take a city years, and in that time the corporate officer may have changed or the corporation may have dissolved. The current law does not provide a framework to address corporations who do not have bylaws. Allowing the corporate officer to sign an annexation petition under oath will help streamline the annexation process.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities; Suzan Wallace, City of Vancouver; and Steve Stuart, Clark County.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.