Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing Committee

ESSB 5238

Brief Description:  Modifying the board of commissioners of a water‑sewer district.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Johnson, McCaslin, Haugen and Fairley).

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

$Authorizes water-sewer districts with over 25,000 customers to increase the board up to seven members.  (Includes a petition process to call for a vote of the customers). 

$Creates a process to decrease the board to either five or three members.

$Repeals the statute authorizing the formation of associations of water‑sewer commissioners

Hearing Date: 

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786‑7106).

Background: 

Water‑sewer districts are governed by three‑member boards of commissioners.  A three‑member commission may put the question to an election to increase to five commissioners by either passing a resolution or receiving a signed petition of ten percent of the registered voters in the district.

However the commissioners of a water‑sewer district with over 10,000 customers may determine by resolution to increase its size to five members.  This decision is subject to a vote in a special election if a signed petition of ten percent of the registered voters in the district is submitted within ninety days of adoption. 

Water-sewer commissioners are authorized to form an association of commissioners of two or more districts to improve the operation and organization of the districts. 

Summary of Bill: 

In water‑sewer districts of 25,000 customers or more, a three‑member or five‑member board of commissioners may by resolution choose to increase the number of commissioners from five to seven without an election.  This decision is subject to a vote in a special election if a signed petition of ten percent of the registered voters in the district that voted in the last municipal election is submitted within ninety days of adoption.

A seven member or five member board may decrease a board from seven to five members, or from five to three members by resolution of the board, or through an election caused by a petition signed by 10 percent of the registered voters in the district. 

Authority to create associations of water‑sewer district commissioners is repealed. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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