SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5032

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, January 17, 2011

Title: An act relating to the membership of metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committees.

Brief Description: Changing qualifications for appointees to metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committees.

Sponsors: Senators Pridemore, Swecker and Chase.

Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 1/13/11, 1/17/11 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Nelson and Roach.

Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)

Background: A metropolitan municipal corporation is a municipal corporation of the state and can be formed in any area of the state containing two or more cities, at least one of which has a population greater than 10,000. A metropolitan municipal corporation may perform one or more of the following functions: water pollution abatement, water supply, public transportation, garbage disposal, parks and parkways, and comprehensive planning.

If a metropolitan municipal corporation engages in water pollution abatement, it can own and operate water pollution abatement facilities and can fix rates and charges for the use of water pollution abatement facilities. Additionally, a metropolitan municipal corporation must form a metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committee to advise the metropolitan municipal corporation on matters related to water pollution abatement. A metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committee is comprised of members appointed by each city and county that operates a sewer system within the metropolitan area and a commissioner from each water-sewer district within the metropolitan area.

Summary of Bill: The board of commissioners of a water-sewer district, operating within the metropolitan area of a metropolitan municipal corporation, may appoint one person to serve on the metropolitan water pollution abatement advisory committee.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill removes the requirement that commissioners be appointed to the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee. Managers would be better members of this committee because this committee advises the King County Council on matters related to the operation and performance of sewer systems. Current law provides that the elected leadership of cities and counties may delegate representation on the committee, but water and sewer districts must be represented by commissioners. This will provide a cost savings to water and sewer districts who have members on this advisory committee because they will be able to appoint a manager to this committee. This advisory committee is created in statute and the statute outlines how members are appointed, so a bill is needed to change who can be appointed to this advisory committee.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.