HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1174

                       As Passed House

                        March 5, 1997

Title:  An act relating to formation of less than county‑wide port districts.

Brief Description:  Extending less than county‑wide port districts.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by  Representatives Koster, Dunn, McMorris and Boldt).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/18/97, 2/21/97 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/5/97, 98‑0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093).

Background:  Port districts may take up an entire single county, or may be less than county-wide.  Port districts are authorized for acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, development, and regulation of harbor, rail, air, or motor vehicle transfer and terminal facilities, as well as for industrial and commercial development. 

Less than county-wide port districts were authorized by the Legislature in 1992.  Any such proposed port district must have an assessed value of at least $75 million.  Authorization for less than county-wide port districts is set to expire on July 1, 1997.

Summary of Bill:  The expiration date for the creation of less than county-wide port districts is removed.  Less than county-wide port districts may continue to be created after that date.  The amount of the assessed value required to propose a new less than county-wide port district is doubled to $150 million.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill simply gives voters an opportunity to vote for or against the creation of a less than county-wide port district. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association.