HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2431

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to the Southwest Washington Fair.

Brief Description:  Refining provisions concerning the Southwest Washington Fair.

Sponsors:  Representatives DeBolt, Alexander, Mielke, Johnson and Pennington.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  1/30/98, 2/3/98 [DP];

Appropriations:  2/7/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  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; Dunshee; Murray; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786-7156).

Background: The Southwest Washington Fair (Fair) is categorized as a county and district fair but considered an agricultural fair for funding allocation purposes.  The commission which had managed the Fair was abolished by statute in 1973.  Administration and control of all commission obligations were transferred to the Lewis County Board of Commissioners (Board), and title to all Fair property was vested in the board.

The board is authorized to appoint a citizens' commission to advise and assist in carrying out the Fair.  The board chair is required to serve as the chair of the advisory committee. 

The board is also authorized to acquire and improve real property for Fair purposes.  Any surplus property may be sold or exchanged according to specified procedures.

Local governments may by ordinance or resolution create public corporations, commissions and authorities to perform specified functions and may transfer funds, property or services to such entities.

Summary of Bill:  Provisions regarding management and operation of the Fair are revised.

As an alternative to appointing an advisory committee, the board may appoint a designee to fulfill all of the board's obligations with respect to the Fair.  The chair of the board may but is not required to serve as the chair of any advisory committee that is appointed.

Fair property is under the jurisdiction of Lewis County and under the management and control of the board or its designee. Any exchange of surplus Fair property must be conducted according to Lewis County property management regulations.

The definition of "employer" is amended for purposes of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plans I and II to include a public corporation, commission or authority created by a local government pursuant to RCW 35.21.730

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill would allow changes to make the Fair a public development authority and would help to ensure that the Fair remains successful.  Allowing Lewis County to appoint a designee to operate the Fair provides greater flexibility.  Employees who leave Lewis County to join the public development authority should be able to have their retirement plans go with them.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative DeBolt and Alexander, sponsors; Rose Bowman and Jeff Fancher, Lewis County; and Heather Hanson, Washington State Fairs Association.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 30 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Alexander, Vice Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Wensman, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gombosky, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson; Carlson; Chopp; Cody; Cooke; Crouse; Grant; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McMorris; Parlette; Poulsen; Regala; D. Schmidt; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott and Tokuda.

Staff:  Denise Graham (786-7137).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Government Administration:  The Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment deleting the change to the definition of  "employer" under PERS.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The authority and ownership of fairs should be with the county commissioners instead of the board.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Gary Alexander.