SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6219

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, January 24, 2000

Title:  An act relating to conservation districts.

Brief Description:  Authorizing treasurer services for conservation districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen and Morton; by request of Conservation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  1/19/2000, 1/24/2000 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6219 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Gardner, Honeyford, Morton, Prentice, Snyder, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  A review of authority of conservation districts by the State Auditor resulted in a conclusion that conservation districts do not possess the necessary authority to issue checks.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The treasurer of the county in which a conservation district is located is the ex officio treasurer of the district.  However, the board of supervisors may by resolution designate a person who has experience in financial or fiscal matters to be the treasurer of the district.  A bond must be required by the board of supervisors to protect the district against loss, with the premium for this bond to be paid by the district.

District funds are paid to the treasurer and disbursed only on warrants issued by the auditor appointed by the board of supervisors.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Clarification is made with respect to the requirement for a bond to protect the district against loss.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Conservation districts have designated a person to serve as district treasurer for 50 years.  However, the State Auditor=s position is that the statutory authority to appoint a treasurer and auditor needs to be specifically expressed in statute.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Don Stuart, Washington Association of Conservation Districts; Carolyn Kelly, Skagit Conservation District; Steve Meyer, WSCL.