SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5128

BYSenator McCaslin

Specifying notice requirements for local improvements.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5128 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Sutherland.

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

                  January 24, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, JANUARY 24, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Cities, counties, fire protection districts, port districts, public utility districts, sewer districts, water districts, and irrigation districts may form local improvement districts.  Upon the filing of a petition or the adoption of a resolution initiating a proceeding for the formation of a local improvement district or utility local improvement district, preliminary estimates are made of the cost and expense of the proposed improvement.  The actual assessments may vary substantially from the assessment estimates so long as they do not exceed a figure equal to the increased value the improvement adds to the property.  Citizens have complained that if they had known that the actual assessment could be more than double the assessment estimates they may not have agreed to the formation of the improvement district.

SUMMARY:

Any notice given to the public or to owners of land in the formation of local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts must contain a statement that actual assessments may vary from assessment estimates so long as they do not exceed a figure equal to the increased value the improvement adds to the property.  For cities, the petition or resolution must also contain such statement.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Technical language was added.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Kent Swisher, Association of Washington Cities (pro)