HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1950

                       As Passed House

                       March 18, 1997

Title:  An act relating to incorporations of cities and towns.

Brief Description:  Regulating incorporations of towns.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by  Representatives D. Schmidt, Thompson, Scott and Koster).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/25/97 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/18/97, 88‑10.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Dunshee.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  An unincorporated area with a population of at least 1,500 may incorporate as a city or town.  If the area is located in a county that plans under all of the requirements of the Growth Management Act, the area proposed to incorporate must be located within an urban growth area designated by the county.

Summary of Bill:  A city may incorporate outside of an urban growth area, in a county that plans under all of the requirements of the Growth Management Act, if (1) at least 25 percent of the boundaries of the area are coterminous with the boundaries of an urban growth area; (2) the area has a population of at least 5,000; (3) the area has a density of at least 500 persons per square mile; and (4) the area is already characterized by significant industrial development.

A city may incorporate outside of an urban growth area, in a county that plans under all of the requirements of the Growth Management Act, if the area has a population of at least 1,500 and is a peninsula surrounded on all sides by saltwater and the Canadian border.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  These are very limited exceptions where incorporations should occur.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Dave Schmidt, prime sponsor; and Ray Shurtz, city of Woodinville (with concerns.)