SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5806

As of February 24, 2003

Title: An act relating to assumption by a city of a water-sewer district.

Brief Description: Providing a procedure for a water-sewer district to be assumed by a code city.

Sponsors: Senators Esser, Kastama, Haugen, Horn, Reardon and Sheahan.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 2/24/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Staff: Jennifer Arnold (786-7471)

Background: Under current law, there is not a statutory procedure directly applicable to the assumption of a water-sewer district by a city when the district is noncontiguous to that city and the district lies within another city.

Summary of Bill: A procedure is established where a water-sewer district with less than 250,000 customers may be assumed by a code-city with greater than 100,000 persons, even if the district and the city are noncontiguous and none of the district is within that city's boundaries, if the water-sewer district's board of commissioners finds the assumption to be in the best interests of the district.

The local government must agree by resolution to assume the water-sewer district. Both the city and the district must enter into a mutually agreed upon contract regarding the assumption process and any related matters.

If the district does not owe any liabilities on the date of assumption, the city is permitted to use any surplus funds only for the purposes of water delivery services and construction of water facilities in the district's former territory.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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