AN ACT Relating to metropolitan municipal corporations; adding new sections to chapter 36.56 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 36.56 RCW to read as follows:

As an alternative to the procedure set forth in RCW 36.56.040, the county legislative authority in any county with a population of one million or more, after notice and public hearing as required by RCW 36.56.020 and 36.56.030, may by ordinance or resolution assume the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporations. Upon enactment of the ordinance or resolution, the county is vested with every right, power, function, and obligation currently granted to or possessed by the metropolitan municipal corporation, the metropolitan council established under RCW 35.58.120 through 35.58.160 is abolished, the provisions of RCW 35.58.120 through 35.58.160 are inapplicable to the county, and the county legislative authority is vested with all rights, powers, duties, and obligations otherwise vested by law in the metropolitan council. For a county with a home rule charter, the rights, powers, duties, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation assumed under this section vest in accordance with the executive and legislative responsibilities defined in the charter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 36.56 RCW to read as follows:

A county that has assumed the functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation under section 1 of this act shall comply with all provisions of this chapter other than those set forth in RCW 36.56.040, and in addition shall:

(1) Establish two or more intergovernmental committees to review and recommend to the county legislative authority the county-wide comprehensive policy plan and those elements of other plans which under state law are effective in both unincorporated and incorporated areas. The committee shall include members representing units of local and regional government, including, but not limited to, special purpose districts, cities, county, and unincorporated areas. The number of central city members, other component city members, and unincorporated area members on each committee shall be in proportion to the populations of the central city, other component cities, and unincorporated area of the county. Central city members shall be elected city officials of the central city selected by the central city. Other component city members shall be elected city officials of the other component cities selected by the other component cities using a procedure established by the county. Unincorporated area members shall be selected using a procedure established by the county that includes a division of the unincorporated area into separate geographic areas with the community councils and neighborhood associations within each geographic area selecting a representative from that unincorporated area. Committee members shall be subject to chapter 42.17 RCW;

(2) Until a charter amendment has been approved after the effective date of this act altering the size of the county legislative authority and providing for a super-majority vote of the county legislative authority on matters related to the exercise of metropolitan functions under chapter 35.58 RCW, any ordinance, resolution, or other measure adopted by the county legislative authority relating to a metropolitan municipal corporation right, power, function, or obligation that was assumed by the county must be approved by at least a two-thirds vote of the members of the county legislative authority;

(3) Establish a transition committee to advise the county legislative authority on issues relating to the transition to county performance of metropolitan municipal functions. The transition committee shall include members representing cities, special purpose districts, and citizens with interest and expertise in metropolitan municipal functions and public administration;

(4) Ensure that revenues and expenditures authorized by state law solely for metropolitan municipal corporation purposes are preserved and accounted for separate from other county funds and expended solely for purposes authorized by chapter 35.58 RCW or as otherwise provided by state or federal law;

(5) Preserve for a period of two years from the effective date of the assumption of metropolitan municipal functions by the county the existing internal administrative structure of the metropolitan municipal corporation; and

(6) Conduct a process for consultation with citizens of unincorporated areas of the county to analyze issues of governance for such areas and report to the legislature and the governor regarding any necessary proposed legislation to implement the conclusions of the process within one year from the effective date of the assumption of metropolitan municipal functions by the county.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. For decades, the primary focus and responsibilities of county government have been in the unincorporated portion of the county. It is the intent of the legislature when a county assumes a greater role as a regional government that the focus of the county be extended to the entire county as a single region and the interests of all the citizens of the entire county.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.