SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6428

              As Passed Senate, February 7, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the merger of special districts.

Brief Description:  Revising irrigation district mergers.

Sponsors:  Senators Newhouse and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/22/96, 1/30/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/7/96, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Katie Healy (786-7403)

Background:  Special districts include drainage improvement districts, joint drainage improvement districts, or consolidated drainage improvement districts.  When such a special district desires to merge with an irrigation district in which the lands of the special district are located, petition for merger may be made to the board of county commissioners.  The board of supervisors of the special district signs the petition, which is then presented to the clerk of the board of county commissioners.

The merger of irrigation districts does not come under the purview of a boundary review board.

A desire has been expressed that the process for merging  special districts with an irrigation district be consolidated and streamlined.

Summary of Bill:  Either the special district's board of supervisors or ten land owners within the affected district are allowed to sign the petition requesting a merger.

Boundary review boards have no jurisdiction over the merger of diking and drainage improvement districts into an irrigation district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will assist in streamlining the process for merger, giving landowners more ability to be involved in the process.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Newhouse, prime sponsor (pro); Jim Trull, Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The merger of a drainage improvement district, joint drainage improvement district, or consolidated drainage improvement district into an irrigation district is not subject to potential review by a boundary review board.  The amendment clarifies the special districts referenced in the waiver from boundary review board review.