HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6444

                       As Passed House

                        March 6, 1992

Title:  An act relating to television reception improvement districts.

Brief Description:  Regarding membership on boards for television reception improvement districts.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Madsen and Sellar.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, February 25, 1992, DP;

Passed House, March 6, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; May, Ranking Minority Member; Hochstatter, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Casada; Cooper; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; Miller; and Rayburn.

Staff:  Fred Adair (786-7113).

Background:  Legislation allowing for the creation of television reception improvement districts was enacted in 1971.  These districts may be formed to serve the public interest for constructing, maintaining, and operating television and FM radio translator stations in areas where the local terrain blocks reception.

The districts are governed by a board; if the district boundaries conform with those of a county, the county commissioners serve as the members of the board.  If the district has boundaries that do not conform with those of the county, the district will be governed by a board of three, five, seven or nine members, all appointed by the board of county commissioners for a three year term.

In some cases there has been difficulty finding citizens interested in serving on the boards of these districts.  Laws in some counties may needlessly limit the number of terms a board member may serve.

Summary of Bill:  In television reception improvement districts with boundaries that do not conform with the boundary of the county, there is no limit in the number of terms that may be served by a member of a television reception improvement district board.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Board members in these districts are unpaid volunteers.  The position requires time and effort and, accordingly, volunteers are not easy to find.

Pierce county law is interpreted to preclude repeat board member terms.  Passage of this bill would cure the problem.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jarrold Parry, board member, Pierce County Television Reception Improvement District (pro).