SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1950

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, April 3, 1997

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

Brief Description:  Regulating incorporations of towns.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  4/1/97, 4/3/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen and Horn.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

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:  Maltby has all the characteristics of an urban area and should be allowed to incorporate.  Point Roberts is isolated, just below the 49th parallel, and will never be an urban growth area.  It also should be allowed to incorporate.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative D. Schmidt, original prime sponsor.