HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6287

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to safe public water supply.

Brief Description:  Adding inhabitants of county as recipients of water works benefits.

Sponsors:  Senators T. Sheldon, Benton, Brown, Rossi, Finkbeiner, Rasmussen and Anderson.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/20/98, 2/24/98 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  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:  John Carmichael (786-7093).

Background:  Public Utility Districts (PUDs) may provide water to:

  1.  The inhabitants of the district.

  2.  Any other persons, including corporations within and outside of the district.

The territory of Mason County is divided between two PUDs.

Summary of Bill:  The authority of PUDs to provide water to people outside the district is clarified.  PUDs may provide water to inhabitants of the county in which the district is located, regardless of whether they are in the PUD=s district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is important to Mason County and has the support of both the county=s PUDs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Tim Sheldon, prime sponsor.