SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5585
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed Senate, February 25, 2019
Title: An act relating to cooperation between conservation districts.
Brief Description: Concerning cooperation between conservation districts.
Sponsors: Senator Takko.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Local Government: 2/07/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 2/25/19, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford.
Staff: Bonnie Kim (786-7316)
Background: Conservation Districts. Conservation districts are governmental subdivisions that provide services related to conservation and agricultural practices. There are 45 conservation districts in Washington. Conservation district boards consist of five members—three elected and two appointed, at least three of which must be landowners or farm operators.
Summary of Bill: Conservation districts may engage in joint engineering activities with other conservation districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: For some reason conservation districts cannot engage in joint engineering activities and this bill makes clear that they can. Twenty years ago, the conservation districts' former federal partner stopped offering engineering services. Districts then clustered together to share professional engineering services. The state auditor told us last summer we had to get this amendment to continue sharing engineering services.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Dean Takko, Prime Sponsor; Stu Trefry, Washington Conservation Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.