SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5409
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
As of January 26, 2001
Title: An act relating to water‑sewer district general comprehensive plans.
Brief Description: Revising procedures for approval of water‑sewer district general comprehensive plans.
Sponsors: Senators T. Sheldon, Swecker, Haugen, Roach, Jacobsen and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State & Local Government: 1/29/01.
______________________________________________________________________________SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff: Eugene Green (786‑7405)
Background: Before ordering any improvements or submitting to vote any proposition for incurring debt, water-sewer district commissioners must adopt a general comprehensive plan for the type or types of facilities the district proposes to provide. A district may prepare a separate general comprehensive plan for each of these services or the district may combine any or all comprehensive plans into a single general comprehensive plan. These services consist of a water supply system, sewer system, drainage system, and/or street lighting.
Any general comprehensive plan or plans must be submitted to the county engineer and the director of health of the county and the plan must be approved, conditionally approved, or rejected by them within 60 days of their respective receipt of the plan. This 60-day time limitation may be extended for up to an additional 60 days. The general comprehensive plan must also be submitted to, and approved by, the county legislative authority. Each general comprehensive plan is deemed approved if the county legislative authority fails to reject or conditionally approve the plan within 90 days of submission to the county legislative authority. This 90-day time limitation may be extended for up to an additional 90 days. If the district includes portions or all of one or more cities, the general comprehensive plan must also be submitted to, and approved by, those cities within 90 days. Cities may also extend the time limit another 90 days. The general comprehensive plan must also be approved by any state agency whose approval is required. There is no time limit in which a state agency must act.
Any amendment to, alteration of, or addition to, a general comprehensive plan is subject to approval as if it were a new general comprehensive plan. However, only if the change affects a particular city or town, must the change be subject to approval by the city or town.
Summary of Bill: The general comprehensive plan of a water-sewer district is deemed approved by a state agency if the state agency fails to reject or conditionally approve the plan within 60 days of the plan=s submission to the state agency. A state agency may extend the time limitation by up to 60 days. The district must provide a copy of the plan, or changes to the plan, to every state agency or city, town, or county from which approval was required within 30 days of the effective date of the changes.
Before becoming effective, any changes to the general comprehensive plan need only be subject to a city or town=s approval if the effect on them is a material impact.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.