SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1460

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                                MARCH 28, 1991

Brief Description:  Providing an alternative to drainage districts.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Franklin, Haugen, Ferguson and Ebersole).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates:March 28, 1991

BACKGROUND:

A variety of different local governments have been authorized to provide drainage improvements, including counties, cities, towns, drainage districts, and drainage improvement districts.

Procedures exist by which the county legislative authority may suspend the operations of or dissolve inactive special districts, including drainage districts and drainage improvement districts, and reactivate the special district.

A drainage district or drainage improvement district that owns drainage or flood control improvements may not be dissolved unless the county accepts responsibility for operating and maintaining the facilities.

Counties are authorized to establish storm water utilities and drainage utilities.

SUMMARY:

A county legislative authority by ordinance may dissolve a drainage district or drainage improvement district that is located in a county storm drainage and surface water management utility and which is not currently imposing assessments.  This is an alternative procedure.

The county assumes responsibility to pay or settle all outstanding debts of a drainage district or drainage improvement district that is so dissolved.  All assets of the district become assets of the county.  The county storm drainage and surface management utility may determine how to manage, operate, and dispose of the dissolved district.

Any portion of a drainage district or drainage improvement district that is located within a first class city may be removed from the district by ordinance of the city.  The removal shall not impair the obligation of a contract nor remove the liability or obligation to finance district improvements that serve the area when it is removed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will help end double taxation of some citizens.  In one district, a 50-year old problem will be solved that was created when Tacoma annexed part of an old drainage district.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Rosa Franklin, original sponsor; George Walk, Pierce County; Bob Mack, City of Tacoma; Rose Hargrove, Tacoma resident