SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6221

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Energy & Utilities, February 2, 1998

Title:  An act relating to storm water control facilities.

Brief Description:  Addressing low‑income senior citizens and disabled persons in storm water control legislation.

Sponsors:  Senators Goings, Rasmussen, Winsley, Franklin, Roach, Oke, McCaslin, Schow, Swecker and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy & Utilities:  1/26/98, 2/2/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

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

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 low-income status of the persons receiving storm water control services or benefits, including senior citizens and disabled persons.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amended bill allows consideration of the income level of any person served or receiving benefits, rather than just senior citizens or disabled persons, when fixing rates and charges for storm water control services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The bill adds an important additional discretionary factor for counties to be able to consider when adjusting rates to implement new federal requirements.  There is already a nearly identical provision in the sewer utility rate statutes, and this additional factor is needed in the storm water statute for the same reason: to protect low income seniors and disabled persons from significant rate increases.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Goings, prime sponsor; Wendell Brown, Pierce County Council.