SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5781

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 4, 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:  Senators McCaslin, Haugen, Morton, Rasmussen, Anderson, Swecker and Schow.

Brief History:

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

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 Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The step of commissioner approval is removed.  The assumption must be made of a contiguous district.  The disincorporation provision and reasonable rate provision are added.

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).