HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2433
As Passed House:
February 9, 2024
Title: An act relating to administration of the southwest Washington fair by the Lewis county board of county commissioners.
Brief Description: Concerning administration of the southwest Washington fair by the Lewis county board of county commissioners.
Sponsors: Representative Orcutt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 1/30/24, 1/31/24 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/9/24, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows Lewis County to use the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds for the Southwest Washington Fair and county purposes.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Duerr, Chair; Alvarado, Vice Chair; Goehner, Ranking Minority Member; Jacobsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berg, Griffey and Riccelli.
Staff: Elizabeth Allison (786-7129).
Background:

The Southwest Washington Fair Association is under the jurisdiction of the Lewis County Board of Commissioners (Board).  Legal title for the fairgrounds is vested in the Board.  The Board is authorized to appoint a citizens' commission (Commission) to advise and assist in carrying out the Southwest Washington Fair (Fair).  The chair of the Board is required to serve as the chair of the Commission.  The Commission may designate the treasurer of Lewis County as the Fair treasurer.  Funds relating to Fair activities must be kept separate and apart from Lewis County's general funds.  The Board is authorized to acquire real property for Fair purposes and may construct and maintain improvements for such purposes.
Summary of Bill:

Fair property in Lewis County may be used for county purposes in addition to Fair purposes.  Funds relating to Fair activities must be managed and accounted for the same as other funds of Lewis County.  The Board may acquire real property for Fair and county purposes, and may construct and maintain improvements for those purposes. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Southwest Washington Fair is a regional fair but the state has a long history of supporting it.  Lewis County manages the Fair and fairgrounds all year long, not just during the week of the Fair.  There are legal and county headaches with properly reimbursing the county for non-Fair activities, it is a nuisance, and takes great energy.  Lewis County is required to run two departments even though the departments share staff and resources.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

(In support) Bryan Kuykendall, Lewis County Parks and Recreation; and Erika Snell, Around The Clock Child Care Center Incorporated.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.