SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5781

               As Passed Senate, March 19, 1997

Title:  An act relating to voter approval of city assumption of a water or sewer district.

Brief Description:  Requiring voter approval of city assumption of water or sewer systems.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin, Haugen, Morton, Rasmussen, Anderson, Swecker and Schow).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/28/97, 3/4/97 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/19/97, 43-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5781 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Kathleen Healy (786-7403)

Background:  When all of the territory of a water or sewer district is included in a city's corporate boundaries, the city may assume jurisdiction over the district.  If 60 percent of a water or sewer district is included within a city, the city may assume full control over the entire district, as long as it is not included within another city.  The city may also choose to assume control over the portion of the district contained in the city, and make provision to serve any portion of the district outside of the corporate limits of the city. The district may then vote that the city assume jurisdiction over the entire district.  This latter method may also be used when less than 60 percent of a water or sewer district is included within the corporate boundaries of a city. 

Summary of Bill:  A city shall not assume jurisdiction over a water or sewer district unless the voters of the district vote for the assumption. 

The district must be contiguous to the city.  If all the services of the area are assumed, the district is disincorporated.  The rates charged must be reasonable.

Technical corrections are made.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Under current law, when a city has assumed part of a water district, it may assume all of it per agreement.  This deals with the district=s issues related to disenfranchisement.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dave Williams, AWC (pro); Steve Lindstrom, Sno-King Water District Coalition (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The amendment deletes the automatic dissolution of a water-sewer district which is assumed by a city.  The city and/or water district must petition for dissolution.  Also deleted is the requirement that the district will not be disincorporated unless the city assumes the responsibility of serving all of the district=s customers.

An additional section is added so that a city or town must approve by resolution a water district=s operation of a sewer or drainage system if the water district did not operate such a system prior to July 1, 1997.