Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee

HB 2682

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.

Brief Description: Concerning approval of propositions sent to the voters by certain public facilities districts.

Sponsors: Representative Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires approval by a majority of board members from each jurisdiction within a recreational facility PFD only when submitting a proposition to the voters.

Hearing Date: 1/27/10

Staff: Brian Kilgore (786-7119) and Chris Cordes (786-7103).

Background:

A Public Facilities District (PFD) is a municipal corporation with independent taxing authority and is a taxing district under the State Constitution. A PFD may be created by a city, group of cities, county, or a group of cities and a county. A PFD is governed by an appointed board of directors with varying composition and appointing authority.

In 2009, multi-city/county public facilities districts (PFDs) were authorized in jurisdictions that already had a PFD. These new PFDs were only allowed to develop and operate recreational facilities other than ski resorts. To approve a proposition, a majority of board members representing each city or county participating in the additional PFD must approve the proposition.

A PFD may impose a variety of taxes to fund its regional facility. For example, a PFD may levy an admissions tax not exceeding 5 percent, a vehicle parking tax not exceeding 10 percent, and a voter-approved 0.2 percent sales tax.

Summary of Bill:

Multi-city/county PFDs which are created by jurisdictions that already had a PFD only require the approval of a majority of board members from each participating jurisdiction when submitting a proposition to the voters.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/20/2010.

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