S-4130               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 4770

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senators Hansen, Goltz, Barr, Gaspard, Benitz and Bailey

Read first time 1/22/86 and referred to Committee on Agriculture.

AN ACT Relating to irrigation districts; and adding a new section to chapter 87.03 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 87.03 RCW to read as follows:

          The board of directors of an irrigation district may authorize an attorney of its choosing to defend an officer, employee, or agent of the district, present or former, who requests representation as a result of an action, claim, or proceeding instituted against him or her.  The costs of defense, including attorney's fees and any obligation for payment arising from the action, may be paid from district funds.  Costs of defense, and judgment or settlement not in the person's favor, shall not be paid by the district if the court finds the person was not acting in good faith or within the scope of the person's employment  or duties for the district.