SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2503

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Energy & Utilities, February 24, 1998

Title:  An act relating to storm water control facilities.

Brief Description:  Authorizing consideration of the income level of customers when setting rates and charges for a storm water control facility.

Sponsors:  Representatives Robertson, Sullivan and Carrell.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy & Utilities:  2/24/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Finkbeiner, Chair; Hochstatter, Vice Chair; Brown, Jacobsen, Rossi, T. Sheldon and Strannigan.

Staff:  Andrea McNamara (786-7483)

Background:  County legislative authorities may, by resolution, fix the rates and charges for furnishing storm water control services.  Such rates and charges may be levied against anyone who receives services or benefits from any storm water control facility or anyone who contributes to an increase of surface water runoff.

When setting rates and charges, counties may currently consider five factors: (1) the services being furnished; (2) the benefits being received; (3) the character and use of land or its water runoff characteristics; (4) the nonprofit public benefit status of the land user; or (5) any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

Summary of Amended Bill:  In fixing rates and charges for storm water control services, a county legislative authority may also consider the income level of the persons receiving storm water control services or benefits, including senior citizens and disabled persons.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment clarifies that counties may consider the income level of any person receiving storm water control services or benefits when setting rates, not just seniors and disabled persons.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Pierce County has needed to increase its storm water control fees dramatically in the past year in response to extensive flooding and the implementation requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act.  This bill is necessary to allow counties to take into consideration the income level of residents who are hardest hit by these increases.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Jan Shabo, Pierce County Council.