FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 449 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, Hine, Allen, Nutley, Ferguson, Barnes, Valle, Unsoeld and P. King) 

Modifying provisions relating to water and sewer districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Both sewer districts and water districts have been authorized to provide sanitary sewers, storm sewers, street lighting, and water facilities.  The laws relating to sewer districts and water districts are substantially the same.  The authority of a sewer district to provide water facilities references water district procedures.  The authority of a water district to provide sewer facilities references sewer district procedures.

SUMMARY:

Laws relating to both sewer districts and water districts are changed: 

When the district adopts a resolution to proceed with establishing the street lighting system, the period of time is reduced from 90 days to 30 days, after which the district loses its authority to establish the street lighting system if a protest petition is filed.

The size of a district board of commissioners may be increased from three to five members.

A commissioner position can be declared vacant if the commissioner has unexcused absences from three consecutive regularly scheduled district meetings.  The commissioner must be mailed a notice after he or she misses the second consecutive meeting that such action will be taken.

Revenue bonds can be issued for any purpose or function that a district has been authorized in law.

Special assessments from a utility local improvement district (ULID) can be deposited into a fund used to pay for improvement costs prior to the issuance of revenue bonds.

A district can annex areas unilaterally if the area is less than 100 acres and has at least 80 percent of its boundaries coterminous with part of the boundaries of the annexing district and another district.  A timely filed referendum petition can force an election on the annexation.

Territory in one district can be transferred to another district upon petition of the owners of 60 percent of the area, and approval by the boards of commissioners of both districts.

It is specified that reasonable attorneys' fees may be included in a judgment foreclosing liens on delinquent local improvement assessments of a district.

A district may permit installment payments on connection charges to be made over 15 years.

Sewer district laws are clarified authorizing sewer districts to provide approved septic tanks, approved septic tank systems, and facilities to collect, treat and dispose of wastewater, to control pollution from wastewater, and to protect and rehabilitate surface and underground waters.

A water district contiguous with Canada is authorized to contract with a Canadian corporation for the purpose of purchasing water and for the construction, maintenance and supply of waterworks to furnish the district and the residents of Canada with an ample supply of water.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    45     2(Senate amended)

      House 98   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987

Partial Veto Summary:  Sections are vetoed that allowed water or sewer districts to directly deposit prepaid special assessments into the improvement fund instead of the revenue bond fund.  These vetoed sections are enacted in another 1987 law, House Bill 643. (See VETO MESSAGE)