AN ACT Relating to local government; amending RCW 35.02.020, 35.02.090, 35.06.020, 35.06.030, 35.06.050, 35.24.020, 35.24.180, 35.24.190, 35.27.010, 35.27.070, 35.27.130, 35.27.270, 35.27.280, 35A.39.010, 41.08.040, 41.12.040, 54.08.010, 54.08.070, and 54.08.080; reenacting and amending RCW 42.17.310; and adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 35.02.020 and 1986 c 234 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

A petition for incorporation must be signed by ((~~qualified~~)) registered voters resident within the limits of the proposed city or town equal in number to ten percent of the ((~~votes cast~~)) number of voters who voted at the last ((~~state~~)) general municipal election and presented to the auditor of the county in which all, or the largest portion of, the proposed city or town is located.

Sec. 2. RCW 35.02.090 and 1986 c 234 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

The elections on the proposed incorporation and for the nomination and election of the initial elected officials shall be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the state, except as provided in this chapter. No person is entitled to vote ((~~thereat~~)) unless he or she is a ((~~qualified elector~~)) registered voter of the county, or any of the counties in which the proposed city or town is located, and has resided within the limits of the proposed city or town for at least thirty days next preceding the date of election.

Sec. 3. RCW 35.06.020 and 1965 c 7 s 35.06.020 are each amended to read as follows:

When a petition is filed signed by ((~~electors~~)) registered voters of a city or town, in number equal to not less than one-fifth of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking reorganization thereof as a city of a higher class than that indicated by the last preceding federal or state census, the city or town council to which the petition is presented shall forthwith cause a census to be taken by one or more suitable persons of all the inhabitants of such town or city in which census the full name of each person shall be plainly written, and the names alphabetically arranged and regularly numbered in complete series. The census shall be verified before an officer authorized to administer oaths and filed with the city or town clerk.

If the census shows such city or town qualified for the class named in the petition, the same proceedings shall be had as if the census were a federal or state census.

If the census shows such city or town not qualified for the class named in the petition, no further proceedings shall be had: PROVIDED, That the city or town may be reorganized as a city or town of the class indicated by the census, upon a proper petition filed within six months from the filing of such census with the clerk, without other or further census.

Sec. 4. RCW 35.06.030 and 1965 c 7 s 35.06.030 are each amended to read as follows:

If the census prescribed in RCW 35.06.020 shows that the city or town belongs to the class named in the petition, the city or town council shall cause notice to be given as in other cases, that at the ((~~the~~)) next general election of the city or town, or at a special election to be called for that purpose, the ((~~electors~~)) voters may vote for or against the advancement, their ballots to contain the words "for advancement" and the words "against advancement."

Sec. 5. RCW 35.06.050 and 1965 c 7 s 35.06.050 are each amended to read as follows:

The clerk shall lay the certificate of election and census before the council at its next regular meeting after the same has been filed in his or her office, and if ((~~it appear that all the votes cast for the advancement are not a majority of the votes cast at the election~~)) a majority of those voting on the advancement are not in favor of advancement, no further proceedings shall be had on that petition; but this shall not bar any new proceedings for such purpose.

Sec. 6. RCW 35.24.020 and 1987 c 3 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

The government of a third class city shall be vested in a mayor, a city council of seven members, a city attorney, a clerk, a treasurer, all elective; and a chief of police, municipal judge, city engineer, street superintendent, health officer and such other appointive officers as may be provided for by statute or ordinance: PROVIDED, That the council may enact an ordinance providing for the appointment of the city clerk, city attorney, and treasurer by the mayor, which appointment shall be subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council. Such ordinance shall be enacted and become effective not later than thirty days prior to the first day allowed for filing declarations of candidacy for such offices when such offices are subject to an approaching city primary election. Elective incumbent city clerks, city attorneys, and city treasurers shall serve for the remainder of their unexpired term notwithstanding any appointment made pursuant to RCW 35.24.020 and 35.24.050. If a free public library and reading room is established, five library trustees shall be appointed. The city council by ordinance shall prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of all officers and employees: PROVIDED, That the provisions of any such ordinance shall not be inconsistent with any statute: PROVIDED FURTHER, That where the city council finds that the appointment of a full time city engineer is unnecessary, it may in lieu of such appointment, by resolution provide for the performance of necessary engineering services on either a part time, temporary or periodic basis by a qualified engineering firm, pursuant to any reasonable contract.

The mayor shall appoint and at his or her pleasure may remove all appointive officers except as otherwise provided herein: PROVIDED, That municipal judges shall be removed only upon conviction of misconduct or malfeasance in office, or because of physical or mental disability rendering ((~~him~~)) the judge incapable of performing the duties of his or her office. Every appointment or removal must be in writing signed by the mayor and filed with the city clerk.

Sec. 7. RCW 35.24.180 and 1965 c 7 s 35.24.180 are each amended to read as follows:

The city council and mayor shall meet on the first Tuesday in January next succeeding the date of each general municipal election, and shall take the oath of office, and shall hold regular meetings at least once during each month but not to exceed one regular meeting in each week, at such times as may be fixed by ordinance.

Special meetings may be called by the mayor by written notice ((~~delivered to each member of the council at least three hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting~~)) as provided in RCW 42.30.080. No ordinances shall be passed or contract let or entered into, or bill for the payment of money allowed at any special meeting.

All meetings of the city council shall be held within the corporate limits of the city at such place as may be designated by ordinance. All meetings of the city council must be public.

Sec. 8. RCW 35.24.190 and 1969 c 101 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The members of the city council at their first meeting after each general municipal election and thereafter whenever a vacancy occurs, shall elect from among their number a mayor pro tempore, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the council and in case of the absence of the mayor, perform the duties of mayor except that he or she shall not have the power to appoint or remove any officer or to veto any ordinance. If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, the city council at their next regular meeting shall elect from among their number a mayor, who shall serve until a mayor is elected and certified at the next municipal election.

The mayor and the mayor pro tempore shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and certify them. The mayor or the mayor pro tempore when acting as mayor, shall sign all conveyances made by the city and all instruments which require the seal of the city.

Sec. 9. RCW 35.27.010 and 1965 c 7 s 35.27.010 are each amended to read as follows:

Every municipal corporation of the fourth class shall be entitled the "Town of .........." (naming it), and by such name shall have perpetual succession, may sue, and be sued in all courts and places, and in all proceedings whatever; shall have and use a common seal, alterable at the pleasure of the town authorities, and may purchase, lease, receive, hold, and enjoy real and personal property and control ((~~and~~)), lease, sublease, convey, or otherwise dispose of the same for the common benefit.

Sec. 10. RCW 35.27.070 and 1987 c 3 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

The government of a town shall be vested in a mayor and a council consisting of five members and a treasurer, all elective; the mayor shall appoint a clerk and a marshal; and may appoint a town attorney, pound master, street superintendent, a civil engineer, and such police and other subordinate officers and employees as may be provided for by ordinance. All appointive officers and employees shall hold office at the pleasure of the mayor and shall not be subject to confirmation by the town council.

Sec. 11. RCW 35.27.130 and 1990 c 212 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The mayor and members of the town council may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties upon presentation of a claim therefor and its allowance and approval by resolution of the town council. The mayor and members of the council may also receive such salary as the council may fix by ordinance.

The treasurer and treasurer-clerk shall severally receive at stated times a compensation to be fixed by ordinance.

The compensation of all other officers and employees shall be fixed from time to time by the council.

Any town that provides a pension for any of its employees under a plan not administered by the state must notify the state auditor of the existence of the plan at the time of an audit of the town by the auditor. No town may establish a pension plan for its employees that is not administered by the state, except that any defined contribution plan in existence as of January 1, 1990, is deemed to have been authorized. No town that provides a defined contribution plan for its employees as authorized by this section may make any material changes in the terms or conditions of the plan after June 7, 1990.

Sec. 12. RCW 35.27.270 and 1965 c 7 s 35.27.270 are each amended to read as follows:

The town council shall meet on the second Tuesday in January succeeding the date of the general municipal election, shall take the oath of office, and shall hold regular meetings at least once each month at such times as may be fixed by ordinance. Special meetings may be called at any time by the mayor or by three ((~~councilmen~~)) councilmembers, by written notice ((~~delivered to each member at least three hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting~~)) as provided in RCW 42.30.080. No resolution or order for the payment of money shall be passed at any other than a regular meeting. No such resolution or order shall be valid unless passed by the votes of at least three ((~~councilmen~~)) councilmembers.

All meetings of the council shall be held within the corporate limits of the town, at such places as may be designated by ordinance and shall be public.

Sec. 13. RCW 35.27.280 and 1965 c 107 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

A majority of the ((~~councilmen~~)) councilmembers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance.

In the event of the extended excused absence or disability of a councilmember, the remaining members by majority vote may appoint a councilmember pro tempore to serve during the absence or disability. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the council. The mayor shall have a vote only in case of a tie in the votes of the ((~~councilmen~~)) councilmembers. In the absence of the mayor the council may appoint a president pro tempore; in the absence of the clerk, the mayor, or president pro tempore, shall appoint one of the councilmembers as clerk pro tempore. The council may establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings and punish any members or other person for disorderly behavior at any meeting. At the desire of any member, the ayes and noes shall be taken on any question and entered in the journal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:

(1) It is the purpose of this section to provide a means whereby all cities and towns may obtain, through a single source, information regarding ordinances of other cities and towns that may be of assistance to them in enacting appropriate local legislation.

(2) For the purposes of this section, (a) "clerk" means the city or town clerk or other person who is lawfully designated to perform the recordkeeping function of that office, and (b) "municipal research council" means the municipal research council created by chapter 43.110 RCW.

(3) The clerk of every city and town is directed to provide to the municipal research council or its designee, promptly after adoption, a copy of each of its regulatory ordinances and such other ordinances or kinds of ordinances as may be described in a list or lists promulgated by the municipal research council or its designee from time to time, and may provide such copies without charge. The municipal research council may provide that information to the entity with which it contracts for the provision of municipal research and services, in order to provide a pool of information for all cities and towns in the state of Washington.

(4) This section is intended to be directory and not mandatory.

Sec. 15. RCW 35A.39.010 and 1967 ex.s. c 119 s 35A.39.010 are each amended to read as follows:

Every code city shall keep a journal of minutes of its legislative meetings with orders, resolutions and ordinances passed, and records of the proceedings of any city department, division or commission performing quasi judicial functions as required by ordinances of the city and general laws of the state and shall keep such records open to the public as required by RCW 42.32.030 and shall keep and preserve all public records and publications or reproduce and destroy the same as provided by Title 40 RCW. Each code city ((~~shall provide three copies of each of its ordinances of general application to the association of Washington cities without charge and~~)) may duplicate and sell copies of its ordinances at fees reasonably calculated to defray the cost of such duplication and handling.

Sec. 16. RCW 41.08.040 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 154 s 60 are each amended to read as follows:

Immediately after appointment the commission shall organize by electing one of its members ((~~chairman~~)) chair and hold regular meetings at least once a month, and such additional meetings as may be required for the proper discharge of their duties.

They shall appoint a secretary and chief examiner, who shall keep the records of the commission, preserve all reports made to it, superintend and keep a record of all examinations held under its direction, and perform such other duties as the commission may prescribe.

The secretary and chief examiner shall be appointed as a result of competitive examination which examination may be either original and open to all properly qualified citizens of the city, town or municipality, or promotional and limited to persons already in the service of the fire department or of the fire department and other departments of said city, town or municipality, as the commission may decide. The secretary and chief examiner may be subject to suspension, reduction or discharge in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as are provided in the case of members of the fire department. It shall be the duty of the civil service commission:

(1) To make suitable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall provide in detail the manner in which examinations may be held, and appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions and discharges shall be made, and may also provide for any other matters connected with the general subject of personnel administration, and which may be considered desirable to further carry out the general purposes of this chapter, or which may be found to be in the interest of good personnel administration. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time. The rules and regulations and any amendments thereof shall be printed, mimeographed or multigraphed for free public distribution. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time.

(2) All tests shall be practical, and shall consist only of subjects which will fairly determine the capacity of persons examined to perform duties of the position to which appointment is to be made, and may include tests of physical fitness and/or of manual skill.

(3) The rules and regulations adopted by the commission shall provide for a credit ((~~of ten percent~~)) in accordance with RCW 41.04.010 in favor of all applicants for appointment under civil service, who, in time of war, or in any expedition of the armed forces of the United States, have served in and been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, including the army, navy, and marine corps and the American Red Cross. These credits apply to entrance examinations only.

(4) The commission shall make investigations concerning and report upon all matters touching the enforcement and effect of the provisions of this chapter, and the rules and regulations prescribed hereunder; inspect all institutions, departments, offices, places, positions and employments affected by this chapter, and ascertain whether this chapter and all such rules and regulations are being obeyed. Such investigations may be made by the commission or by any commissioner designated by the commission for that purpose. Not only must these investigations be made by the commission as aforesaid, but the commission must make like investigation on petition of a citizen, duly verified, stating that irregularities or abuses exist, or setting forth in concise language, in writing, the necessity for such investigation. In the course of such investigation the commission or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall have the power to administer oaths, subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books, papers, documents and accounts appertaining to the investigation and also to cause the deposition of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the superior court; and the oaths administered hereunder and the subpoenas issued hereunder shall have the same force and effect as the oaths administered by a superior court judge in his or her judicial capacity; and the failure upon the part of any person so subpoenaed to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, and punishable as such.

(5) All hearings and investigations before the commission, or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall be governed by this chapter and by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the commission, and in the conduct thereof neither the commission, nor designated commissioner shall be bound by the technical rules of evidence. No informality in any proceedings or hearing, or in the manner of taking testimony before the commission or designated commissioner, shall invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation made, approved or confirmed by the commission: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no order, decision, rule or regulation made by any designated commissioner conducting any hearing or investigation alone shall be of any force or effect whatsoever unless and until concurred in by at least one of the other two members.

(6) To hear and determine appeals or complaints respecting the administrative work of the personnel department; appeals upon the allocation of positions; the rejection of an examination, and such other matters as may be referred to the commission.

(7) Establish and maintain in card or other suitable form a roster of officers and employees.

(8) Provide for, formulate and hold competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons who seek employment in any class or position and as a result thereof establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, and to provide that persons laid off because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they shall be the first to be reemployed.

(9) When a vacant position is to be filled, to certify to the appointing authority, on written request, the name of the person highest on the eligible list for the class. If there are no such lists, to authorize provisional or temporary appointment list of such class. Such temporary or provisional appointment shall not continue for a period longer than four months; nor shall any person receive more than one provisional appointment or serve more than four months as a provisional appointee in any one fiscal year.

(10) Keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.

Sec. 17. RCW 41.12.040 and 1937 c 13 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

They shall appoint a secretary and chief examiner, who shall keep the records for the commission, preserve all reports made to it, superintend and keep a record of all examinations held under its direction, and perform such other duties as the commission may prescribe.

The secretary and chief examiner shall be appointed as a result of competitive examination which examination may be either original and open to all properly qualified citizens of the city, town, or municipality, or promotional and limited to persons already in the service of the police department or of the police department and other departments of said city, town, or municipality, as the commission may decide. The secretary and chief examiner may be subject to suspension, reduction, or discharge in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as are provided in the case of members of the police department. It shall be the duty of the civil service commission:

(1) To make suitable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall provide in detail the manner in which examinations may be held, and appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions, and discharges shall be made, and may also provide for any other matters connected with the general subject of personnel administration, and which may be considered desirable to further carry out the general purposes of this chapter, or which may be found to be in the interest of good personnel administration. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time. The rules and regulations and any amendments thereof shall be printed, mimeographed, or multigraphed for free public distribution. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time;

(4) The commission shall make investigations concerning and report upon all matters touching the enforcement and effect of the provisions of this chapter, and the rules and regulations prescribed hereunder; inspect all institutions, departments, offices, places, positions, and employments affected by this chapter, and ascertain whether this chapter and all such rules and regulations are being obeyed. Such investigations may be made by the commission or by any commissioner designated by the commission for that purpose. Not only must these investigations be made by the commission as aforesaid, but the commission must make like investigation on petition of a citizen, duly verified, stating that irregularities or abuses exist, or setting forth in concise language, in writing, the necessity for such investigation. In the course of such investigation the commission or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall have the power to administer oaths, subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books, papers, documents, and accounts appertaining to the investigation, and also to cause the deposition of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the superior court; and the oaths administered hereunder and the subpoenas issued hereunder shall have the same force and effect as the oaths administered by a superior court judge in his or her judicial capacity; and the failure upon the part of any person so subpoenaed to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, and punishable as such;

(5) Hearings and Investigations: How conducted. All hearings and investigations before the commission, or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall be governed by this chapter and by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the commission, and in the conduct thereof neither the commission, nor designated commissioner shall be bound by the technical rules of evidence. No informality in any proceedings or hearing, or in the manner of taking testimony before the commission or designated commissioner, shall invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation made, approved or confirmed by the commission: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no order, decision, rule or regulation made by any designated commissioner conducting any hearing or investigation alone shall be of any force or effect whatsoever unless and until concurred in by at least one of the other two members;

(7) Establish and maintain in card or other suitable form a roster of officers and employees;

(8) Provide for, formulate and hold competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons who seek employment in any class or position and as a result thereof establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, and to provide that ((~~men~~)) persons laid off because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they shall be the first to be reemployed;

(10) Keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.

Sec. 18. RCW 42.17.310 and 1991 c 301 s 13, 1991 c 87 s 13, and 1991 c 23 s 10 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) The following are exempt from public inspection and copying:

(a) Personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools, patients or clients of public institutions or public health agencies, or welfare recipients.

(b) Personal information in files maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public agency to the extent that disclosure would violate their right to privacy.

(c) Information required of any taxpayer in connection with the assessment or collection of any tax if the disclosure of the information to other persons would (i) be prohibited to such persons by RCW 82.32.330 or (ii) violate the taxpayer's right to privacy or result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the taxpayer.

(d) Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records compiled by investigative, law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies vested with the responsibility to discipline members of any profession, the nondisclosure of which is essential to effective law enforcement or for the protection of any person's right to privacy.

(e) Information revealing the identity of persons who file complaints with investigative, law enforcement, or penology agencies, other than the public disclosure commission, if disclosure would endanger any person's life, physical safety, or property. If at the time the complaint is filed the complainant indicates a desire for disclosure or nondisclosure, such desire shall govern. However, all complaints filed with the public disclosure commission about any elected official or candidate for public office must be made in writing and signed by the complainant under oath.

(f) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination.

(g) Except as provided by chapter 8.26 RCW, the contents of real estate appraisals, made for or by any agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property, until the project or prospective sale is abandoned or until such time as all of the property has been acquired or the property to which the sale appraisal relates is sold, but in no event shall disclosure be denied for more than three years after the appraisal.

(h) Valuable formulae, designs, drawings, and research data obtained by any agency within five years of the request for disclosure when disclosure would produce private gain and public loss.

(i) Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended except that a specific record shall not be exempt when publicly cited by an agency in connection with any agency action.

(j) Records which are relevant to a controversy to which an agency is a party but which records would not be available to another party under the rules of pretrial discovery for causes pending in the superior courts.

(k) Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites in order to avoid the looting or depredation of such sites.

(l) Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, which discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user.

(m) Financial information supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of qualifying to submit a bid or proposal for (a) a ferry system construction or repair contract as required by RCW 47.60.680 through 47.60.750 or (b) highway construction or improvement as required by RCW 47.28.070.

(n) Railroad company contracts filed with the utilities and transportation commission under RCW 81.34.070, except that the summaries of the contracts are open to public inspection and copying as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(o) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by private persons pertaining to export services provided pursuant to chapters 43.163 ((~~RCW~~)) and ((~~chapter~~)) 53.31 RCW.

(p) Financial disclosures filed by private vocational schools under chapter 28C.10 RCW.

(q) Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095.

(r) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses during application for loans or program services provided by chapters 43.163 ((~~RCW and chapters~~)), 43.31, 43.63A, and 43.168 RCW.

(s) Membership lists or lists of members or owners of interests of units in timeshare projects, subdivisions, camping resorts, condominiums, land developments, or common-interest communities affiliated with such projects, regulated by the department of licensing, in the files or possession of the department.

(t) All applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant.

(u) The residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of employees or volunteers of a public agency which are held by the agency in personnel records, employment or volunteer rosters, or mailing lists of employees or volunteers.

(v) The residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers.

(w) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy as provided in RCW 69.45.090.

(x) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy or the department of health and its representatives as provided in RCW 69.41.044, 69.41.280, and 18.64.420.

(y) Financial information, business plans, examination reports, and any information produced or obtained in evaluating or examining a business and industrial development corporation organized or seeking certification under chapter 31.24 RCW.

(z) Financial and commercial information supplied to the state investment board by any person when the information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when disclosure would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information.

(aa) Financial and valuable trade information under RCW 51.36.120.

(bb) Client records maintained by an agency that is a domestic violence program as defined in RCW 70.123.020 or a rape crisis center as defined in RCW 70.125.030.

(cc) Personal information in files maintained for patients or clients who have been provided emergency medical services by a publicly operated emergency medical service provider.

(2) Except for information described in subsection (1)(c)(i) of this section and confidential income data exempted from public inspection pursuant to RCW 84.40.020, the exemptions of this section are inapplicable to the extent that information, the disclosure of which would violate personal privacy or vital governmental interests, can be deleted from the specific records sought. No exemption may be construed to permit the nondisclosure of statistical information not descriptive of any readily identifiable person or persons.

(3) Inspection or copying of any specific records exempt under the provisions of this section may be permitted if the superior court in the county in which the record is maintained finds, after a hearing with notice thereof to every person in interest and the agency, that the exemption of such records is clearly unnecessary to protect any individual's right of privacy or any vital governmental function.

(4) Agency responses refusing, in whole or in part, inspection of any public record shall include a statement of the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of the record (or part) and a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record withheld.

Sec. 19. RCW 54.08.010 and 1985 c 469 s 55 are each amended to read as follows:

At any general election held in an even-numbered year, the county legislative authority of any county in this state may, or, on petition of ten percent of the ((~~qualified electors~~)) registered voters of the county based on the total vote cast in the last general county election held in an even-numbered year, shall, by resolution, submit to the voters of the county the proposition of creating a public utility district which shall be coextensive with the limits of the county as now or hereafter established. A form of petition for the creation of a public utility district shall be submitted to the county auditor within ten months prior to the election at which the proposition is to be submitted to the voters. Petitions shall be filed with the county auditor not less than four months before the election and the county auditor shall within thirty days examine the signatures thereof and certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency thereof. If the petition be found to be insufficient, it shall be returned to the persons filing the same, who may amend or add names thereto for ten days, when the same shall be returned to the county auditor, who shall have an additional fifteen days to examine the same and attach his or her certificate thereto. No person having signed the petition shall be allowed to withdraw his or her name therefrom after the filing of the same with the county auditor: PROVIDED, That each signature shall be dated and that no signature dated prior to the date on which the form of petition was submitted to the county auditor shall be valid. Whenever the petition shall be certified to as sufficient, the county auditor shall forthwith transmit the same, together with his or her certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the county legislative authority which shall submit the proposition to the voters of the county at the next general election in an even-numbered year occurring forty-five days after submission of the proposition to the legislative authority. The notice of the election shall state the boundaries of the proposed public utility district and the object of such election, and shall in other respects conform to the requirements of the general laws of the state of Washington, governing the time and manner of holding elections. In submitting the question to the voters for their approval or rejection, the proposition shall be expressed on the ballot substantially in the following terms:

Public Utility District No. ...................... YES ( )

Public Utility District No. ...................... NO ( )

Any petition for the formation of a public utility district may describe a less area than the entire county in which the petition is filed, the boundaries of which shall follow the then existing precinct boundaries and not divide any voting precinct; and in the event that such a petition is filed the county legislative authority shall fix a date for a hearing on such petition, and shall publish the petition, without the signatures thereto appended, for two weeks prior to the date of the hearing, together with a notice stating the time of the meeting when the petition will be heard. The publication, and all other publications required by this act, shall be in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district is situated. The hearing on the petition may be adjourned from time to time, not exceeding four weeks in all. If upon the final hearing the county legislative authority shall find that any lands have been unjustly or improperly included within the proposed public utility district and will not be benefited by inclusion therein, it shall change and fix the boundary lines in such manner as it shall deem reasonable and just and conducive to the public welfare and convenience, and make and enter an order establishing and defining the boundary lines of the proposed public utility district: PROVIDED, That no lands shall be included within the boundaries so fixed lying outside the boundaries described in the petition, except upon the written request of the owners of those lands. Thereafter the same procedure shall be followed as prescribed in this chapter for the formation of a public utility district including an entire county, except that the petition and election shall be confined solely to the lesser public utility district.

No public utility district created after September 1, 1979, shall include any other public utility district within its boundaries: PROVIDED, That this paragraph shall not alter, amend, or modify provisions of chapter 54.32 RCW.

Sec. 20. RCW 54.08.070 and 1979 ex.s. c 240 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Any district which does not own or operate electric facilities for the generation, transmission or distribution of electric power on March 25, 1969, or any district which hereafter does not construct or acquire such electric facilities within ten years of its creation, shall not construct or acquire any such electric facilities without the approval of such proposal by the voters of such district: PROVIDED, That a district shall have the power to construct or acquire electric facilities within ten years following its creation by action of its commission without voter approval of such action.

At any general election held in an even-numbered year, the proposal to construct or acquire electric facilities may be submitted to the voters of the district by resolution of the public utility district commission or shall be submitted to the voters of the district by the county legislative authority on petition of ten percent of the ((~~qualified electors~~)) registered voters of ((~~such~~)) the district, based on the total vote cast in the last general county election held in an even-numbered year. A form of petition for the construction or acquisition of electric facilities by the public utility district shall be submitted to the county auditor within ten months prior to the election at which such proposition is to be submitted to the voters. Petitions shall be filed with the county auditor not less than four months before such election and the county auditor shall within thirty days examine the signatures thereof and certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency thereof. If such petition is found to be insufficient, it shall be returned to the persons filing the same, who may amend and add names thereto for ten days, when the same shall be returned to the county auditor, who shall have an additional fifteen days to examine the same and attach his or her certificate thereto. No person having signed such petition shall be allowed to withdraw his or her name therefrom after the filing of the same with the county auditor: PROVIDED, That each signature shall be dated and that no signature dated prior to the date on which the form of petition was submitted to the county auditor shall be valid. Whenever such petition shall be certified to as sufficient, the county auditor shall forthwith transmit the same, together with his or her certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the county legislative authority which shall submit such proposition to the voters of ((~~said~~)) the district at the next general election in an even-numbered year occurring forty-five days after submission of the proposition to ((~~said~~)) the legislative authority. The notice of the election shall state the object of such election, and shall in other respects conform to the requirements of the general laws of Washington, governing the time and manner of holding elections.

The proposal submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, shall be expressed on the ballot substantially in the following terms:

Shall Public Utility District No. ..... of .......... County construct or acquire electric facilities for the generation, transmission or distribution of electric power?

Yes ( )

No ( )

Within ten days after such election, the election board of the county shall canvass the returns, and if at such election a majority of the voters voting on such proposition shall vote in favor of such construction or acquisition of electric facilities, the district shall be authorized to construct or acquire electric facilities.

Sec. 21. RCW 54.08.080 and 1969 c 106 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

Any district now or hereafter created under the laws of this state may be dissolved, as hereinafter provided, by a majority vote of the ((~~qualified electors~~)) registered voters of ((~~such~~)) the district at any general election upon a resolution of the district commission, or upon petition being filed and such proposition for dissolution submitted to ((~~said electors~~)) the voters in the same manner provided by chapter 54.08 RCW for the creation of public utility districts. The returns of the election on such proposition for dissolution shall be canvassed and the results declared in the same manner as is provided by RCW 54.08.010: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any such proposition to dissolve a district shall not be submitted to the ((~~electors~~)) voters if within five years prior to the filing of such petition or resolution such district has undertaken any material studies or material action relating to the construction or acquisition of any utility properties or if such district at the time of the submission of such proposition is actually engaged in the operation of any utility properties.

If a majority of the ((~~votes cast~~)) registered voters voting on the dissolution at the election favor dissolution, the commission of the district shall petition, without any filing fee, the superior court of the county in which such district is located for an order authorizing the payment of all indebtedness of the district and directing the transfer of any surplus funds or property to the general fund of the county in which such district is organized.