SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1383

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 30, 1995

Title:  An act relating to annexation of unincorporated territory by municipal corporations providing sewer or water service.

Brief Description:  Clarifying annexation authority by municipal corporations providing sewer or water service of unincorporated territory.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Representatives Reams, Scott, Rust and Hargrove).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  3/22/95, 3/30/95 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  When unincorporated territory consisting of less than 100 acres is at least 80 percent contiguous with the boundaries of two sewer districts, two water districts, or a water district and a sewer district, the board of commissioners of one of the districts may resolve to annex the territory if the other district's board of commissioners concurs.

Cities and towns may also provide sewer or water service.  There is no authority for a sewer district or water district to annex this territory even if an adjacent city or town concurs in the annexation.  Similarly, there is no authority for a city or town to annex this territory even if an adjacent sewer district or water district concurs in the annexation.

Summary of Amended Bill:  When unincorporated territory consisting of less than 100 acres is at least 80 percent contiguous with the boundaries of two municipal corporations, and one of the municipal corporations is a sewer district, the legislative authority of one of the municipal corporations may resolve to annex the territory if the legislative authority of the other municipal corporation concurs in the annexation.

When unincorporated territory consisting of less than 100 acres is at least 80 percent contiguous with the boundaries of two municipal corporations, and one of the municipal corporations is a water district, the legislative authority of one of the municipal corporations may resolve to annex the territory if the legislative authority of the other municipal corporation concurs in the annexation.

A municipal corporation is defined as a city, town, water district, or sewer district.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The substitute bill did not cover the situation where a water district provides sewer service or a sewer district provides water service.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill permits cooperation and efficiency in delivering sewer and water service to contiguous areas.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Reams, original prime sponsor; Tim Shellberg, Washington State Sewer and Water Association (pro).