SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5127

BYSenator McCaslin

Eliminating boundary review boards.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989; January 31, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5127 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Pullen.

Senate Staff:Eugene Green (786-7405); Sam Thompson (786-7754)

                  February 2, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, JANUARY 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

State law creates a boundary review board in every class AA (King) and A (Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish) county, and permits a boundary review board to be created in all other counties.  In these counties, boundary review boards may be created by either resolution of the county legislative authority or by a petition method (no boundary review boards have been formed by the petition method).  A boundary review board has been created by resolution of the county legislative authority in each of the following counties:  Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kitsap, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima.

Boundary review boards may review and approve, reject, or modify and approve the creation, dissolution, annexation, or consolidation of governmental units, defined to be cities, towns, and special purpose districts (sewer, water, fire protection, drainage and diking improvement, flood control zone, irrigation, metropolitan park, drainage, or public utility district engaged in water distribution).

The factors to be considered by a boundary review board and the objectives of a boundary review board are stated in statute.

Many representatives of local government feel that these boards are insensitive to the needs of local government and should not be second-guessing elected local officials.

SUMMARY:

The chapter creating boundary review boards is repealed.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

If it elects to, a boundary review board may review and approve, reject, or modify and approve the incorporation or disincorporation of a city or town.  The substitute bill takes away the power of a boundary review board to deny a vote by the people on an incorporation petition or a disincorporation petition.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Kent Swisher, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Bob Roegner, Mayor of Auburn (pro); Jean Worthen, State Association of Boundary Review Boards; Randy Scott, Washington State Association of Counties (con)