SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1402

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Transportation, April 7, 1997

 

Title:  An act relating to the financing of street, road, and highway projects.

 

Brief Description:  Allowing a county, city, or town to create an assessment reimbursement area on its own initiative to finance the cost of road and street improvements.

 

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Fisher, Blalock, O'Brien and Doumit).

 

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  4/3/97, 4/7/97 [DP].

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Rasmussen and Sellar.

 

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

 

Background:  Cities and counties are permitted to contract with property owners for street improvements which are required as a prerequisite to further property development.  For up to 15 years, partial reimbursement to those property owners may be required from other property owners who are determined to have benefitted from those improvements and who did not contribute to the original cost of the street projects.  A county, city or the state Department of Transportation (DOT) may also join in the financing of a project and be reimbursed the same as owners of real estate.

 

Summary of Bill:  A city, town or county is authorized to create an assessment reimburse­ment area on its own initiative, without participation of a private property owner, to finance the costs and to receive reimbursements from later development.  DOT is also authorized to be the sole participant in such agreements.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  This bill allows greater flexibility for cities, counties and DOT to implement assessment reimbursement area fees.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  Rep. Ogden, prime sponsor; Chuck Williams, Clark County; Craig Pridemore, Clark County (pro).