SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 6189

BYSenator McCaslin

Eliminating boundary review boards.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 16, 1989; January 24, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Eugene Green (786-7405); Rod McAulay (786-7754)

                  February 14, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1990

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 or the desires of the citizenry.

SUMMARY:

Boundary review boards cannot disapprove the incorporation of a city with an estimated population of 7,500 or more, but the board may recommend against the incorporation.

If a proposed incorporation is of a city with a population of 7,500 or more, the board may not add or reduce territory that constitutes more than 10 percent of the total area.

Incorporation notices filed with a board after July 1, 1989 shall be considered under these new provisions.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Charlotte Garrido, Association of Boundary Review Boards (con); James Craig, Hedges & Roth Engineering, Inc. (con); Elsie Berggren, PC BRB (con); Donald L. Pratt, City of Bremerton, Washington Association of City Plan Directors (pro); Kent Swisher, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Randy Scott, Washington State Association of Counties