Brief Description: Allowing special districts to provide drainage ditches and tide gates.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Schoesler, Eickmeyer, Sump, Grant, Kristiansen, Hunt, Blake, McDermott, Hatfield, Sehlin, Bailey and Linville.

Hearing Date: 2/5/03

Staff: Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:

The following group of special purpose districts are collectively referred to by statute as being "special districts:" diking districts; drainage districts; diking, drainage, and/or sewerage improvement districts; inter-county diking and drainage districts; diking, drainage, diking improvement and/or drainage improvement districts; and flood control districts. (RCW 85.38.010.)

Such a special district may investigate, plan, construct, acquire, repair, maintain, and operate improvements, works, projects, and facilities: necessary to prevent inundation or flooding from rivers, streams, tidal waters or other waters; or necessary to control and treat storm water, surface water, and flood water. (RCW 85.38.180.)

Summary of Bill:

The facilities that such a special district may investigate, plan, construct, acquire, repair, maintain, and operate expressly include drainage ditches, tide gates, and flood gates.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: This bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.