SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2750

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 26, 1992

Brief Description:  Allowing a public utility district to fluoridate its water supply system.

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Staff:  Andrew Scott (786‑7198)

Hearing Dates: February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Public utility districts (PUDs) do not have the statutory authority to fluoridate the water delivered through a PUD water system.

Counties, cities, and towns have long been considered to have the authority to fluoridate municipal water supplies within the general police and sanitary powers granted under Article 11, section 11, of the Washington Constitution, and pursuant statutes.

Special districts other than counties, cities and towns must have express authority in order to fluoridate their water systems.

Water districts have the authority to fluoridate a district's water system by their own authority or by submitting a ballot proposition to the district's electors.

SUMMARY:

The commissioners of a public utility district (PUD) may authorize the fluoridation of a district's water system by a majority vote of its board of commissioners, or may submit to the electors of the district a ballot proposition authorizing fluoridation.

In lieu of submitting a proposition to the voters, PUD commissioners may also mail ballots directly to the water system's customers in order to receive authorization to fluoridate that system.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested