SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5209

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 1, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the extension of water or sewer systems outside of existing corporate boundaries.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the extension of water or sewer service within an approved coordinated water system plan service area.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin, Haugen, Swecker, Drew, Schow, Heavey and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/8/95, 3/1/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5209 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  A county boundary review board may review, approve, disapprove or modify a proposal to extend sewer or water service outside of the existing boundaries by a city, town or special purpose district.  The jurisdiction of the boundary review board may be invoked if three members of a five-member board or five members of a board in a county with a population of one million or more file a request for review. 

Review by the boundary review board may also be triggered by the request of any governmental unit affected by the proposed action or by a petition signed by 5 percent of the registered voters in the affected area or by the owners of 5 percent of the value of real estate in the affected area.

The boundary review board may not invoke its own jurisdiction if the extension of water or sewer service involves water mains of six inches or less in diameter; sewer mains of eight inches or less in diameter; or the county legislative authority is planning under the Growth Management Act and has, by majority vote, waived the authority of the boundary review board to initiate review of extensions.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The jurisdiction of a boundary review board to review an extension of water service by a city, town or special purpose district beyond its corporate boundaries if the extension is within that jurisdiction's service area pursuant to an approved coordinated water system plan is repealed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill does not totally repeal the jurisdiction of boundary review boards with respect to review of water system extensions within an approved service area.  The original bill repeals only the authority of a boundary review board to invoke its own jurisdiction in these situations.  Under the original bill, boundary review board review of such water extensions may still be invoked by a petition by an affected government or property owners.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The bill recognizes service area boundaries.  There is no need for boundary review board review of matters consistent with service area plans.  It eliminates unnecessary hearings, legal costs and delay.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Joe Daniels, WSWWA; Susan Eldore; Jim McDevitt, attorney, Whitworth WD2; Roger Valdez, WSSDA.