H-0185.4  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1237

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Sullivan, Talcott, Kastama, DeBolt, Bush, Campbell, Carrell and Haigh

Read first time 01/19/1999.  Referred to Committee on Local Government.

Requiring members of first class city utility boards to be elected from districts.

    AN ACT Relating to city utilities; and adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 35.92 RCW to read as follows:

    Notwithstanding the provisions of the charter of a first class city to the contrary, the following shall apply to a separate board or other body established by a first class city to manage or operate one or more utilities for the city:

    (1) The board or other body must consist of five members who are elected to staggered four-year terms of office at municipal general elections, rather than being appointed.

    (2) Each member of the board or other body must be elected from a separate district within the greater service area of the city, where each district has approximately the same population, and the districts are used for the following purposes:  (a) Only a resident of a district may be a candidate or nominee for the member from that district; (b) only a resident of a district may serve as the member from that district; (c) only voters residing in a district may vote at a primary to nominate candidates for the member from that district; and (d) only voters residing in a district may vote at a general election to elect the member from that district.  The greater service area of the city shall include the entire city and an area or areas contiguous to the city that includes every residence outside of the city that is served by any of the utility services managed or operated by the board or other body.

    (3) The board or other body shall select a director of each utility under its jurisdiction, or a single director for two or more utilities under its jurisdiction, and shall set utility rates.

    (4) Each member of the board or other body shall receive the same compensation provided under RCW 54.12.080 that a public utility district commissioner receives, with the gross revenues of the utility or utilities managed and operated by the board or other body being considered the gross revenues of the district.

    (5) Any efforts of the city to provide cable service shall be managed and operated by the board or other body.

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