SENATE BILL REPORT

2ESB 5965

As Passed Senate, February 10, 2004

Title: An act relating to public facilities district boards of directors in counties in which the largest city has at least forty percent of the population and the second largest city has at least fifteen percent of the population.

Brief Description: Revising the makeup of public facilities district boards of directors.

Sponsors: Senator McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/26/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/19/03, 48-1; 2/10/04, 47-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Fairley, Horn, Kastama, McCaslin and Reardon.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: Public facility districts can be created by the legislative authority of a county and are countywide. They are governed by an appointed board of directors who serve four-year terms. Representation on the board varies depending on the size of the largest city in the county relative to the total county population, the total population of the county, and the form of county government. Directors receive $50 per day in compensation for attending meetings, up to a maximum of $3,000 per year.

When the population of the largest city in the county is 40 percent or more of the total county population, the board consists of five members. Two are appointed by the county legislative authority, two are appointed by the largest city's city council, and the fifth member is selected by the first four.

Summary of Bill: A sixth and seventh member are added to one type of public facility district's board of directors. When the largest city in the county has a population of 40 percent or more and the second largest city has a population of 15 percent or more of the total county population, then the legislative authority of the second largest city selects the sixth member of the board, and the other directors select the seventh director.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2005.

Testimony For: We have a new city with 80,000 people in it in Spokane County. It is only fair that it be represented.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Senator McCaslin, prime sponsor (pro).