S-2098.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5904
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Morton and Rasmussen)
READ FIRST TIME 03/05/01.
AN ACT Relating to conservation district elections; amending RCW 89.08.160; adding a new section to chapter 29.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.17 RCW; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 29.04 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Nothing in this title shall apply to conservation districts governed under chapter 89.08 RCW, unless a conservation district chooses to have its elections governed under this title.
(2) A conservation district choosing to have its elections governed under this title shall:
(a) Still be governed by other nonelection provisions of chapter 89.08 RCW;
(b) Still be governed by RCW 89.08.160(2); and
(c) Remain solely responsible for the costs of holding elections under this title.
Any conservation district choosing to have its elections governed under this title shall make the choice in time to provide appropriate prior notice to any affected county auditors.
Sec. 2. RCW 89.08.160 and 1973 1st ex.s. c 184 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) If the commission finds the project practicable, it shall appoint two supervisors, one of whom shall be a landowner or operator of a farm, who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the specialized skilled services required of them. They, with the three elected supervisors, two of whom shall be landowners or operators of a farm, shall constitute the governing board of the district.
(2) In all subsequent appointments, at least one appointed supervisor shall be a landowner or operator of a farm. In all subsequent elections, at least two elected supervisors shall be landowners or operators of farms.
(3) The two appointed supervisors shall file with the secretary of state a sworn application, reciting that a petition was filed with the commission for the creation of the district; that all required proceedings were had thereon; that they were appointed by the commission as such supervisors; and that the application is being filed to complete the organization of the district. It shall contain the names and residences of the applicants, a certified copy of their appointments, the name of the district, the location of the office of the supervisors and the term of office of each applicant.
(4) The application shall be accompanied by a statement of the commission, reciting that a petition was filed, notice issued, and hearing held thereon as required; that it determined the need for the district and defined the boundaries thereof; that notice was given and an election held on the question of creating the district; that a majority vote favored the district, and that the commission had determined the district practicable; and shall set forth the boundaries of the district.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 42.17 RCW to read as follows:
Conservation districts who choose to have their elections governed under chapter 29.13 RCW are also subject to this chapter. Conservation districts whose elections are governed under chapter 89.08 RCW are exempted from the requirements of this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
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