SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5913

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 11, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying annexation procedures for public hospital districts.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senator Sellar)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5913 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: March 2, 1993; March 3, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

The process for annexing territory to a public hospital district includes the requirement that the annexation question be submitted to the voters in the area proposed for annexation unless there are no qualified electors residing in the area.

Requiring an election is a costly and redundant exercise when over a majority of the qualified electors in an area proposed for annexation have already signed a petition calling for the annexation.

SUMMARY:

A hospital district may annex territory when all of the qualified electors and the owners of not less than 60 percent of the area of land in the territory proposed for annexation sign a petition calling for annexation and describing the boundaries.  The hospital district commission may agree to entertain the petition, conduct public hearings and approve, by resolution, the annexation of all or less than all of the territory proposed for annexation in the petition.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Avoids the cost and delay of an election when everybody who could vote on the issue has already signed a petition calling for annexation.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Sellar, prime sponsor

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Terminology is clarified.