HB 1729-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Revises provisions of chapter 87.03 RCW relating to the administration of irrigation districts.

     Provides that a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity formed pursuant to the laws of the state of Washington or qualified to do business in the state of Washington owning land in the district shall be recognized as an elector.

     Provides that no irrigation district, its directors, officers, employees, or agents operating and maintaining irrigation works for any purpose authorized by law, including the production of food for human consumption and other agricultural and domestic purposes, is liable for damages to persons or property arising from the disposal of sewage and waste discharged by others into the irrigation works pursuant to federal or state statutes, rules, or regulations permitting the discharge.

     Requires that all work shall be done under the direction and to the satisfaction of the engineer of the district, and be approved by the board.  The board of directors may require bidders submitting bids for the construction or maintenance for any of the works of the district, or for the furnishing of labor or material, to accompany their bids by a deposit in cash, certified check, cashier's check, or surety bond in an amount equal to five percent of the amount of the bid and a bid shall not be considered unless the deposit is enclosed with it.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1729-S

                   May 14, 1997

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 4, Substitute House Bill No. 1729 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the administration of irrigation districts;"

     Substitute House Bill No. 1729 makes several technical amendments and up-dates to the laws governing irrigation districts.  Section 4 of the bill, however would be a substantial change in state water policy.  That section would allow irrigation districts to add lands that are not contiguous with the district's boundaries.  Such a change could allow irrigation districts to pipe water to isolated parcels of land substantial distances from their primary locations, and could result in "water spreading" and unanticipated expansion of the districts' water rights.  Changes such as this should not be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion, but in context with the numerous other factors that must be considered in allocating the state's limited water supply.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 4 of Substitute House Bill No. 1729.

     With the exception of section 4, I am approving Substitute House Bill No. 1729.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor