SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5374

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.

Background: Local air pollution control authorities (authorities) are established by the Washington Clean Air Act. Each authority is a municipal corporation that is responsible for carrying out specified duties and exercising powers as provided by law. 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). Members of the board serve in office for a term of four years. Initial appointments to the board are made by a city selection committee (committee) as well as the mayor and city council for the most populous cities within a county. Representatives on the board are designated by the board of county commissioners. The county auditor (auditor) convenes a meeting with members of the committee for the purpose of making its initial and subsequent appointments to the board. The auditor may alternatively mail ballots by certified mail to each member of the committee for the purpose of making such appointments.

Summary of Bill: A mid-term vacancy within the board must be filled by the same method as the original appointment, except for appointments made by the committee, which must use the method provided within the statute for replacement. Any person appointed as a replacement will serve the remainder of the term for that office.

The auditor may administer the appointment process through the mail. A request must be mailed to each member of the committee seeking nominations to the office. The members of the committee have until the last day of the fourth month to return the nomination to the auditor or the auditor's designee. The auditor will mail ballots by certified mail to the committee within five business days of the close of the nomination period specifying the date by which to return the completed ballot. The competed ballot must be returned by the last day of the third month prior to the expiration of the term of office. At least two-weeks written notice must be given by the auditor to each member of the committee prior to the nomination process. A single notice is sufficient for both the nomination and balloting process.