SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6693

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to annexation for municipal purposes.

Brief Description:  Modifying annexation of noncontiguous territory for municipal purposes.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/31/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  Second class cities and towns and code cities that own contiguous or noncontiguous property outside the city or town limits may annex that property for park, cemetery or other municipal purposes.  The second class cities and towns may also annex property outside the city limits for park, cemetery or other municipal purposes if all the owners of the property to be annexed give their written consent.

Summary of Bill:  For any noncontiguous real property, only so much may be annexed as is necessary to accomplish the municipal purpose and for the time period that the property actually serves the municipal purpose, unless otherwise agreed between the county and city or town.

If the annexed noncontiguous property is no longer used for the purpose for which it is annexed, the city or town must redraw the corporate limits to exclude that property and dispose of that property as surplus.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is essential to prevent isolated islands remaining in perpetuity.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Written testimony was presented from the Skagit County Board of Commissioners.