VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5781-S

                   May 20, 1997

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5781 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to voter approval of city assumption of a water or sewer district;"

     The intent of Substitute Senate Bill No. 5781 is to require a vote of approval by the citizens of a special purpose district, prior to a city proceeding with assumed jurisdiction of a sewer or water district.  While the amendatory language provides for this opportunity, it is not clear as to which citizens of the water or sewer territory would be entitled to vote on such a ballot proposition.  Furthermore, this legislation fails to establish the procedure for carrying out the election, and, as such, is at odds with established election processes.

     Other language contained in this legislation is ambiguous and vague, and conflicts with existing statutes.  The possibility of various interpretations of what the language means would be troublesome and frustrating to citizens interested in sewer and water district assumptions.  Citizens would be better served by introducing a new bill in the 1998 legislative session that is acceptable to all interested parties.  I have directed my staff to work with interested parties in an effort to develop workable legislation for the 1998 legislative session.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5781 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor