FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5751

                          C 284 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing rural partial‑county library districts.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Spanel)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

Local public library services may be provided by:  city, town or county libraries; rural library districts established in the unincorporated territory of a county; regional libraries operated by several counties or other governmental units under a joint contract; intercounty rural library districts operating throughout several counties; and island library districts in the unincorporated area of a single island in a county consisting entirely of islands and having a population of less than 25,000 at the time the district is established.

Cities or towns may be annexed into rural library districts, intercounty rural library districts or island library districts.

SUMMARY:

Rural partial-county library districts may be created if a rural county library district, intercounty library district or island library district has not been created in the county.  The process is initiated by the petition of at least 10 percent of the registered voters residing in the area proposed to be included in the district.  The proposed district must have an assessed valuation of at least $50 million.  The county legislative authority may adjust the proposed boundaries and, if they believe that the creation of the district is in the public interest, cause the question to be placed on the ballot.

A partial-county library district may annex adjacent unincorporated territory and may annex a town or city with a population of 100,000 or less.  If a rural county library district is established in the same county, the partial-county library district is dissolved and its assets and liabilities transferred to the rural library district.

Rural partial-county library districts may not consolidate with other districts without the approval of the other districts' boards.

Partial-county library districts may impose special levies with 60 percent voter approval.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    44   0

House     97   0    (House amended)

Senate    41   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993