BILL REQ. #:  S-4525.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to annexing park districts; and amending RCW 35.61.010 and 35.61.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 35.61.010 and 2002 c 88 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     A metropolitan park district may be created for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities. A metropolitan park district may include territory located in portions or all of one or more cities or counties, or one or more cities and counties, when created or enlarged as provided in this chapter. After the effective date of this section, a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 may propose creating a metropolitan park district consisting of the unincorporated portions of an urban growth area even if the portions are geographically isolated from each other, if there is a joint provision of parks and recreation services by the city and county, or an interlocal agreement between the county and the city.

Sec. 2   RCW 35.61.020 and 2002 c 88 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) When proposed by citizen petition or by local government resolution as provided in this section, a ballot proposition authorizing the creation of a metropolitan park district shall be submitted by resolution to the voters of the area proposed to be included in the district at any general election, or at any special election which may be called for that purpose.
     (2) The ballot proposition shall be submitted if the governing body of each city in which all or a portion of the proposed district is located, and the legislative authority of each county in which all or a portion of the proposed district is located within the unincorporated portion of the county, each adopts a resolution submitting the proposition to create a metropolitan park district.
     (3) As an alternative to the method provided under subsection (2) of this section, the ballot proposition shall be submitted if a petition proposing creation of a metropolitan park district is submitted to the county auditor of each county in which all or a portion of the proposed district is located that is signed by at least fifteen percent of the registered voters residing in the area to be included within the proposed district. Where the petition is for creation of a district in more than one county, the petition shall be filed with the county auditor of the county having the greater area of the proposed district, and a copy filed with each other county auditor of the other counties covering the proposed district.
     (4) Territory by virtue of its annexation to any city whose territory lies entirely within a park district ((shall be)) is deemed to be within the limits of the metropolitan park district. ((Such an)) That extension of a park district's boundaries ((shall not be)) is not subject to review by a boundary review board independent of the board's review of the city annexation of territory.
     (5) For metropolitan park districts created after the effective date of this section, territory that forms part of a metropolitan park district that is composed of unincorporated portions of an urban growth area is automatically excluded from that metropolitan park district when that territory is annexed by a city. At the time of annexation, the county must develop an interlocal agreement with the city to disburse assets and debt of the metropolitan park district in an orderly and equitable manner.